Abwab translates as ‘doors’ in Arabic, and is a headline feature, uniquely experienced at Dubai Design Week, that is dedicated to commissioning work from across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.

Serving as a platform to highlight creative talent and stimulate cultural exchange, Abwab is thematically remodeled each year to reflect and respond to timely global and regional contexts.

To date, 187 designers from across the region have participated in Abwab, representing a range of countries including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, India, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the UAE.

We're thrilled to announce an open call for artists and designers to join us this year as we present the opportunity for multiple designers to participate within Abwab.

Theme

We invite architects, designers, collectives, historians, writers, archaeologists and all cultural practitioners to explore vernacular architecture and regenerative design, with cross-disciplinary responses and collaborations encouraged.

As vernacular architecture is characterized by its reliance on local needs, materials and traditions it embodies human-centric planning and sourcing of local materials strengthening the social fabric of communities, ecology and economy.

Historically, vernacular builders had an intimate relationship with the landscape and climate, creating place-based building local techniques that address human needs beyond mere shelter emphasizing community and the collective memory of the geographical bioregion. Applicants are encouraged to use various mediums and materials from the region to explore identity.

This architecture embodies integrating design with climate, community and local ecology. Proposals are invited to incorporate both traditional and innovative practices into their concepts, using primitive and pioneering methods.

Criteria & Conditions

  • Demonstrate an evident relationship to the theme
  • Explore contemporary design and architecture while maintaining contextual cultural and geographical relevance to the Arabic region.
  • The proposal must adhere to a responsible design approach, taking into account sustainable use of materials and production processes, construction, installation and operational processes.
  • The proposal must incorporate suitable materials for outdoor use and consideration for year-round weather conditions in Dubai
  • Be partially or entirely produced in the UAE
  • The proposal must adhere to a well-defined timeline for production and installation ready for the opening of Dubai Design Week scheduled on November 5th 2024
  • Proposals should include the thinking and planning for the afterlife and prospects of future deployment and programming
  • Originality is critical, submissions must confirm ownership of all relevant intellectual property rights associated with the submission.

Budget

The winning proposals will be awarded up to AED 50,000 to include project development, technical plans, renders and production and installation.

Submission Process

Applicants are required to complete the submission form below. Within the submission form, applicants will be required to provide us with essential information and the following documents below alongside:

  • Proposal concept statement
  • Portfolio of previous works and CV
  • Proposal image references and renders
  • Use of materials
  • Approximate cost to produce and install the proposal
  • Dimensions, space, and technical requirements
  • Timeline of project completion

Deadline of submissions: 30th June 2024

For any further information, please review our FAQ's here or if your query isn’t answered please contact [email protected].

Please note that this open call does not apply to large architectural entities, but targets middle sized creative studios, individual creatives and SMEs.

Selection Process

The winning design will be selected by a jury panel of experts in the design field. The three panelists will grade proposals based on the predefined criteria, originality of the design and relevance to the competition's theme to choose a winner. The jury panelists will be announced in the next coming weeks.