The 2016 design exhibition takes place at the Amman Electricity Hangar in Ras El Ain. Designed and curated by architect Sahel Al Hiyari, the exhibition showcases original work by local and regional designers. The exhibition focuses on ideas of locality, challenging our understanding of design and its ability to push the boundaries of material, scale, form and function.

Located in the Jordan Museum, the MakerSpace is a forward-looking celebration of the Maker Movement. Visitors are invited to explore and interact with the modern tools and methods of creation, including digital fabrication technology, 3D printers, audio-visual devices and advanced robotics. These are situated alongside the museum’s collection of ancient tools, creating a juxtaposition that helps shed light on the evolution of innovation.

MADAFA stems from the belief that design should be experienced through all five senses. Set within the winding pathway between Al Hussein Cultural Center and Greater Amman Municipality, MADAFA is a social space and pavilion curated by Arini and designed by architects Rasem Kamaland and Saja Nashashibi. The pavilion is a modern reinterpretation of the traditional space for the reception of visitors.

This jewelry-making workshop is part of the Memory Matrix project, exploring possibilities of future heritage creation, employing new fabrication techniques and transcultural collaborations. The workshop participants will be using the cutouts from these pixels to create jewelry, which can be sold to benefit the education of refugees and communities affected by conflict and crisis.

Samar Zureik is a storyteller who uses graphic design and illustration to paint a narrative of her life and the stories of those around her. The Lab at Darat al Funun - The Khalid Shoman Foundation is transformed into a space for the resurrection of family stories and memories.

This pop-up eatery encompasses a contemporary kitchen where chefs prepare an interesting array of locally inspired dishes.

​Combining design exhibitions and dining experiences, The Cart celebrates emerging artisanal food businesses and small scale producers to cater for those who enjoy the finer things in life.

The seminar will adopt an engaging rapport with the students, presenting them with a model of a green home in addition to relevant illustrations and devices. The seminar will expose children in Jordan to concepts of design and the function of architecture through the craftsmanship embodied in the model.

Without an association to represent designers and offer them tools and resources to grow, designers continue to be an unheard voice. This workshop seeks to establish the groundwork for an association of designers in Jordan – one that helps advance design as a profession, provides tools and resources to designers country-wide, and establishes design as a key force in society.

The workshop will present a pilot project for public schools developed by The Center for the Study of the Built Environment (CSBE) and teach basic participatory design applications for working with youth. Participatory design secures user buy-in, generates creative solutions that are tailored to the needs of communities, and is a significant contributor to relevant placemaking.

Co-Founders and Designers of Wajha, Hussein Alazaat and Ali AlMasri will talk about Wajha’s upcoming plans, and how its development affected the design scene in the Arab world. Wajha is an independent social initiative that uses design and branding knowledge to help the community by offering design services free of charge.

Mohammad Rahahleh talks about how the development and structure of the city of Amman and its urban design have affected the human experience of the city. His talk focuses on the participatory nature of design as he shares his vision and future plans for creating sustainable transport and urban design at a local government level.