Inspiring Heroes

Aya Moug is a member of the Sustainability Champions Society and a Dubai-based industrial and product designer. She has transformed her passion for sustainability into a pioneering approach to eco-friendly design. She holds a master’s degree from Central Saint Martins, where she developed her innovative sustainable material Byblos. Read Aya’s story to discover her journey to creating this material and her future plans for it!

After becoming an industrial and product designer, Aya pursued her master’s at Central Saint Martins, where she was tasked with creating a new idea for the design market. She thought about the challenge of resource overconsumption and decided to explore alternatives made from sustainable materials as her master’s thesis. Aya’s research led her to papyrus, a plant widely used in the ancient past to construct all kinds of objects, from baskets to boats. Seeing the potential of this plant as a modern sustainable material, Aya committed to integrating it into her designs. 

After two years of dedicated research and countless prototypes, Aya created Byblos. Made from papyrus, Byblos’s durable, waterproof formula makes it a more sustainable alternative to marble and stone, while its rich, natural patterns evoke a strong connection to the earth. Its ability to be cast into intricate shapes and forms also gives it the advantage of versatility.

Excited by the endless possibilities of Byblos, Aya decided to move to the UAE, encouraged by the support for design, innovation, and sustainability in the country. In Dubai, she opened Papyri Design Studio, where she began crafting high-end, handmade pieces, including chairs, tables, and mirrors. Aya makes each item from Byblos and other upcycled materials, merging functionality and sustainability with artistic expression. Manufactured entirely in the UAE, her work reflects a harmonious blend of culture and sustainable innovation, and resonates with a growing community of eco-conscious consumers. 

Aya collaborates closely with architects and designers to create these bespoke, environmentally-friendly products. In the future, she hopes to introduce a commercial line, making papyrus-made products more accessible for the wider public. She sees a bright future for sustainable design as more people become aware of its importance. “Sustainability is not a passing trend,” she says. “Collective sustainable action keeps our planet safe and habitable.” 

Interested in learning more about Aya’s work? You can follow her on Instagram @the_papyri to take a closer look at her creative, sustainable endeavour.