Qatar Museums opened Design Doha Biennial 2026, bringing together designers, artisans and creative practitioners from across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) and beyond to explore how traditional knowledge, craftsmanship and contemporary innovation are shaping the future of design. On view through 31 January 2027, the second edition of the biennial features 20 exhibitions, new commissions, public installations and cultural programmes showcasing the region’s design heritage alongside bold new approaches to materials, making and production.
Presented under the curatorial vision Translating Knowledge: From Ancestral Systems to Economic Futures, the 2026 edition highlights how traditional practices continue to inform contemporary design and production. The programme unfolds across Doha, with the historic neighbourhood of Fereej Al Asmakh serving as its central hub, while the headline exhibition, Arab Design Now 2026, is presented in Msheireb Downtown Doha.
Fahad Al Obaidly, Director of Design Doha, said: «Design Doha 2026 celebrates the extraordinary talent and knowledge found across our region. From the historic houses of Fereej Al Asmakh to new installations across the city, this edition creates a space for designers, artisans and communities to share ideas, develop new work and connect with audiences. We want to celebrate the people behind design, the knowledge passed between generations and the possibilities this creates for the future».
Glenn Adamson, Artistic Director of Design Doha, said: «The 2026 edition looks at design as a form of knowledge that evolves across generations, cultures and communities. Across the MENASA region, we see extraordinary traditions of making that continue to inspire new ideas and approaches to contemporary design. This biennial celebrates that exchange between past and present, while asking how the knowledge and skills of today can shape the design practices and economies of tomorrow».
Arab Design Now 2026
The biennial’s headline exhibition, Arab Design Now 2026, curated by Noura Al Sayeh, features 81 designers, artisans and makers, 78 new commissions and 17 newly commissioned films. The exhibition celebrates the relationship between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.
Organised around five themes, the exhibition highlights the creative processes, materials and communities behind the works, including the relationships between designers and the artisans who contribute to their production. The exhibition is accompanied by the publication Arab Design Now Volume 2, released to coincide with the opening.
Exhibitions Across Doha
Across Fereej Al Asmakh and other locations in Doha, an additional 19 exhibitions are presented in collaboration with regional and international institutions and creative partners, exploring the intersections of design, architecture, craft, material innovation, and cultural heritage.
Highlights include The Sower by Mexican designer Fernando Laposse, presented as part of the Qatar Canada Mexico 2026 Year of Culture, which connects the desert ecologies of Mexico and Qatar; Aslan’s Love, presented by Turquoise Mountain, celebrating Palestinian craft traditions; and Post-Oil 2026 a Saudi Modern initiative by Bricklab, which looks at the materials that have changed the Gulf’s built environment.
Al Khor Urban Futures presents an early vision for the regeneration of Al Khor’s historic centre, developed following two years of conversations with the local community. Presented across three traditional houses in Fereej Al Asmakh, the installation features a full-scale canopy designed by Kéré Architecture and invites visitors to contribute ideas that will inform the next stage of the Al Khor Heritage Trail project.
Other exhibitions include The Muqarnas of Sadu, which reinterprets traditional weaving as a large-scale architectural installation; The Thread That Binds, inviting visitors to participate in a collective weaving project; and Monumental: A Monobloc’s Memoir, which reimagines the familiar plastic chair as a sculptural work inspired by everyday life in the Arab world.
Public Design Commissions
Five new Public Design Commissions introduce site-specific installations across Fereej Al Asmakh, creating spaces for gathering, interaction and public use.
Curated by Javier Peña Ibáñez, Director of Concéntrico, and supported by Qatar Public Works Authority (Ashghal) as Visionary Partner, the installations draw inspiration from regional approaches to architecture, climate and materials.
The selected projects are Falajscape by Studio By Three, Shoreline by platau, Salsabil by Meriem Chabani (NEW SOUTH), Cooling Pots by Haitam Daoudi and Oscar Cruz Garcia and Palm Construct by Abdalla Almulla. Together, they introduce contemporary approaches to shade, cooling, water and communal spaces.
Design Doha Prize 2026
The Design Doha Prize returns with 20 finalists across four categories: Craft, Product Design, Furniture Design and Emerging Talents.
Chaired by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, the Prize is overseen by a 24-member international jury headed by acclaimed designer India Mahdavi. The announcement of the four winners is scheduled for 7 November 2026 at the Museum of Islamic Art. Together, they will receive a support package of QAR 800,000, alongside mentorship, residency, production and commercial opportunities.
Opening Programme and Public Events
From 5 to 7 November 2026, the biennial’s opening programme features curated exhibition tours, conversations, workshops, performances and networking events.
At the Design Doha Hub, Art for Tomorrow hosts discussions with international creative voices on the future of art and design. Visitors can also participate in hands-on workshops at the House of Makin and informal conversations with designers and curators.
Design Doha Connect provides professional networking opportunities for designers, collectors, buyers and industry representatives, while live performances, film screenings and guided tours take place across Fereej Al Asmakh.
Design Doha Biennial 2026 is part of Evolution Nation, a campaign honouring Qatar’s cultural journey over the past 50 years, since the founding of the National Museum of Qatar. Curated by Qatar Creates, the national initiative positions Qatar as a global hub for art, culture and creativity.
Design Doha Biennial 2026 is supported by a number of partners and sponsors, including Qatar Rail, Qatar Tourism, Qatar Calendar, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Government Communications Office, Doha Design District, Jotun, the British Council, and Dana Alfardan Music. Their support has contributed to bringing the Biennial’s exhibitions, public installations and programmes to audiences across Doha.
Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums (QM), the nation’s preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves and expands the nation’s cultural offerings, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia (MENASA), and beyond with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.
Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and creative exchange in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the mission of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, and amplify the voices of Qatar’s people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the development of museums including the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, ALRIWAQ Art + Architecture, and QM Gallery Katara. Future institutions include Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar, the Art Mill Museum, the Qatar Auto Museum, and the Lusail Museum.
Through its Creative Hubs and recurring festivals and biennials, such as M7, Fire Station, Liwan Design Studios and Labs, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival, and Design Doha, QM initiates and supports projects that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable creative infrastructure.
It is within this spirit of growth and ambition that QM proudly celebrates Evolution Nation, a campaign honouring Qatar's cultural journey over the past 50 years, since the original founding of the National Museum of Qatar. Curated by Qatar Creates, Evolution Nation highlights both the nation's cultural milestones and its bold aspirations for the future.
Animating everything that QM does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention.
Design Doha
Established in 2024 by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Design Doha is a premier international design biennial celebrating contemporary design, innovation, and creativity in the MENASA region and beyond. Design Doha serves as a global platform for exhibitions, installations, awards, and special events, bringing together designers, industry leaders, and visionaries from local Qatari institutions and around the world. Fahad Al Obaidly serves as Director, with Glenn Adamson as Artistic Director.
The second edition of Design Doha runs from 5 November 2026 to 31 January 2027. The opening days run from 5 to 7 November. Individual exhibitions may have different closing dates: Arab Design Now 2026, for example, ends on 31 December 2026 according to the official calendar.
Qatar Rail
Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) is responsible for designing and developing Qatar’s integrated railway network, established in 2011 to support the country’s vision for sustainable urban mobility. With a focus on innovation, safety, and environmental sustainability, Qatar Rail is transforming public transport across the nation in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. The Doha Metro’s state-of-the-art driverless trains and Lusail Tram’s modern design reflect the company’s commitment to modern and advanced infrastructure. Qatar Rail continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of mobility in the region, positioning Qatar as a leader in integrated transport solutions.
Sources and images: Press release: Qatar Museums / Design Doha. Photo credits: Courtesy of Qatar Museums. Works, artists and designers are identified in individual captions. All image and artwork rights are reserved to their respective rights holders.
