Sustainable Production
The Material Lab Fellowship Program engages UAE-based designers, innovators, and creatives to rethink production and design through a research-intensive programme focused on experimentation, learning, and cross-collaboration. Led by Mohamed Rowaizak, a fellow from the 2023 edition of Material Lab, the fellows utilise local and accessible resources to pioneer new methods of material innovation to strengthen the UAE’s model of circular economy through their efforts and thought leadership.
Sustainable Production
Upcycled Merch
Multifunctional Pants upcycled from the year of the 50th, re-purposed for year of sustainability, can rearranged to be a short
Upcycled Merch
Multifunctional Vest upcycled from the year of the 50th, can be a vest or rearranged to be a handy tote bag
Upcycled Merch
T-shirt created from the year of the 50th, and now re-purposed for year of sustainability
Upcycled Merch
A Hoodie created from the year of the 50th, and now re-purposed for year of sustainability
Upcycled Merch
Upcycled Jacket form the year of the 50th, and now re-purposed for the year of sustainability
Upcycled Merch
A Sweatpants created from the year of the 50th, and now re-purposed for year of sustainability
Upcycled Merch
A Tote Bag from the year of the 50th, re-purposed for year of sustainability.
Sustainable Production
Architecture
An alumnus of the 2023 Material Lab, Mohamed is a UAE-based architect whose passion lies in blending heritage, materiality, and technology. His project with Year of Sustainability processes discarded materials through high-temperature melting, breathing new life into overlooked materials. He is leading the 2024 Material Lab fellows.
Mixed Arts
Fifteen designers showcased their innovative, sustainable work at COP28 held in December 2023. Reflecting the deep-rooted connection in the UAE between people and nature, they subvert the expectations of design. Instead of common materials, they used unique sustainable materials to exhibit how creativity and innovation can contribute to sustainable living.
Interior Architecture
A graduate of Interior Architecture who’s passionate about reflecting the world's beauty through sustainable practices, driven by compassion. Her goal is to inspire others to embrace sustainable design for future generations' well-being. She’s working with kombucha and bioskins during the 2024 Material Lab Fellowship Programme.
Design
A product and furniture designer with a bachelor's and master's degrees in Interior Architecture, aspiring to transition into Interior Design. As a Tanween alumnus, she developed PlyPalm, creating the Yereed bench. Her goal is to continue developing products with this material. She’s working with palm tree mid ribs for the duration of the 2024 Material Lab Fellowship Programme.
Design
A designer whose work has been showcased at exhibitions like Global Grad Show and Dubai Design Week. Her design studio focuses on furniture and product designs with vibrant materials and an emphasis on functionality, sustainability, and cultural relevance. Munira is working with plastics, bioresin, and sea shells throughout the 2024 Material Lab Fellowship Programme.
Architecture
An architect who designs at Gensler Middle East, blending tradition with modernity in her work and focusing on architecture as a reflection of culture and context. As part of the 2024 Material Lab Fellowship Programme, AlZaina is working with wood shavings, sand, and frankincense.
Architecture
An architect with a strong foundation for design exploration and collaboration. Seeking to deepen his expertise, he pursued a professional certificate in User Experience Design alongside his interests in filmmaking and industrial design. Basil is working with scavenged, repurposed, and assembled found materials during the 2024 Material Lab Fellowship Programme.
Design
A designer who blends contemporary, sustainable designs with cultural references in her practice, Square016. She has exhibited her work at various prestigious venues, including Downtown Design and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. She creates high-quality furniture and is working with teakwood and scavenged dhows for the duration of the 2024 Material Lab Fellowship Programme.
Visual Communication
A 22-year-old Visual Communication graduate in Sharjah who blends traditional crafting, digital design, and sustainability for impactful outcomes that benefit children and caregivers. She’s working with fabrics she upcycles throughout the 2024 Material Lab Fellowship Programme.
Design
A UAE-based product designer who gained acclaim for her Palm Veneer showcased at Dutch Design Week and Dubai Design Week 2022. Her sustainable designs highlight the creative use of upcycled material. Reem is working with palm tree veneers during the 2024 Material Lab Fellowship Programme.
Design
A design director at the Farm Branding and Creative Lab and the founder of NK by Nour Kays, she holds a bachelor’s in Graphic Design and a master’s in Communication Design. She actively promotes conscious consumption and low-impact living through her work and lectures. She’s working with repurposed toys and plastic for the duration of the 2024 Material Lab Fellowship Programme.
