FACT explores the art of functional furniture.

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If you head down to Msheireb Downtown Doha today you’re in for a big surprise; the chance to explore an innovative gallery exhibit of exciting contemporary furniture that offers rare insights into the creators of the pieces and their conceptual thinking.

‘Design is Downtown’ is a unique exhibition developed and presented by Almana Maples in collaboration with Doha Design District. The gallery showcases contemporary and designforward furniture while also spotlighting the talented international designers and architects behind the exhibits. The first phase of this installation will continue over the next two months but the project plan includes the introduction of new pieces at regular intervals to expose fresh design to the public.

Here at FACT we’re committed to bringing you the inside stories from the contemporary art and design world of Doha. With that in mind, we headed to Sikkat AlWadi Street in Msheireb Downtown Doha to experience the furniture pieces first-hand, and to get the lowdown on this downtown design sensation.

Recognised as one of the significant emerging hubs for designers, Doha Design District is part of the larger Msheireb Downtown Doha, the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project. Sikkat AlWadi pedestrian walkway encapsulates the spirit and vibrancy of the district’s initiatives and its growing community of creatives. Approaching the exhibition we noticed activations such as an outdoor light installation by iGuzzini, in the form of illuminated projections, and Preciosa with Crystallation, an interactive installation inviting people to purchase and hang crystals. FACT then took the advice of the word on the street to head into an exploration of the interior exhibit space.

As a highly respected and trusted furniture retailer in Qatar for more than 30 years, Almana Maples has collaborated with Doha Design District to bring this exhibit to life and to actively engage Doha’s public with innovative furniture and lifestyle creativity. Emad Shoubaki, General Manager of Almana Maples, has described the exhibition as: “A creative story that draws on and celebrates styles, functions and social interactions.” FACT met him for a guided tour of the gallery and to get his insights into some of the pieces as well as the Design is Downtown concept at large.

During our visit our gracious host led us through the large space detailing the nature of the design approach to the pieces, highlighting his favourite individual items and articulating the ongoing value for both visitors and exhibitors.

The gallery space with its light industrial look of exposed materials on walls and ceilings is the ideal environment to showcase hero exhibits. It’s here that rough concrete and red piping take backstage to vibrant pieces, each spotlighted individually against the deliberately subdued backdrop.

We encountered a range of avante-garde furniture pieces produced by renowned designers such as Moroso, USM and Moooi. From a minimalistic egg-cup holder chair to a provocative concept piece in vibrant red, these exhibits are statement items. An integral part of our visitor experience was the connectivity to items and their backstories. Each piece of furniture has its own QR code, which you scan to access the details of the design and the designers. By activating the code, you connect with the creativity behind the concept which adds real depth to the experience. A portrait-style ‘Wall of Fame’ within the exhibition space also displays broad information on the designers.

Our host explained the rationale behind the exhibit, which is to inform and educate. He elaborated on how Modernism has significantly influenced the furniture industry over the past 100 years, referencing its shift to practicality of materials in design dictating the aesthetics of the pieces, instead of a decorative-first approach.

Emad told us that designers and architects selected to exhibit in the gallery space have a proven reputation in fusing traditional manufacturing processes with technological advances to create pragmatic signature items. This much is evident when one spends time engaging with the pieces.

Almana Maples, as one of the co-partners behind the exhibition, is committed to enhancing the educative experience for visitors as a conduit to building the creative community in Doha. It aligns perfectly with Doha Design District’s focus on making design accessible to the public and helping contextualise the reason behind trends.

Doha Design District, an arts and creative hub in Qatar, is the brainchild of Shaikha Al Sulaiti and Naila Al Thani, both alumni of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar. In future, the district will host workshops to help visitors understand the strategy behind luxury furniture brands including the manufacturing process, the quality of materials used and the price positioning for pieces.

FACT aims to keep you updated on the happenings downtown. ✤

GO: FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT QATAR.VCU.EDU.