On Wednesday, March 29, 2022, Qatar Museums, under the patronage and in the presence of its Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, inaugurated Liwan Design Studios and Labs, a space devoted to supporting and connecting designers in Qatar's thriving creative hub. 

Liwan is part of Qatar Museums' newly established Creative Hub. Through this center, talented artists are nurtured and opportunities are created to build a strong and viable cultural infrastructure.

Liwan is situated in the heart of Msheireb Downtown, Doha's groundbreaking urban design district. It is housed within a newly renovated historic building which was the first officially recognized school for girls in Qatar, founded by education pioneer Amna Mahmoud Al Jaida.

Originally named Banat El Doha, this school opened in the late 1950s and was later renamed Umm Almo'mneen Primary School. Qatari designer Aisha Bint Nasser Al Sowaidi is the multidisciplinary designer who leads Liwan, which offers top-notch labs for pottery, leatherworking, digital photography, prototyping, as well as private and shared studios for designers to advance their work. 

The opening ceremony for Liwan was commemorated during the March 2022 #QatarCreates gathering of creative industry leaders from Qatar, the region, and worldwide. During the opening ceremony, Qatar Museums unveiled Design Doha, a biennial exhibition that will launch in 2024 and showcases cultural innovation in Doha for years to come.

Design Doha will be based at Liwan, which will make use of the extensive network of Qatar Museums to develop exhibitions, commission new public artworks, and host a wide range of public programs.

Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, said: “Liwan Design Studios and Labs will facilitate collaboration, community, and creativity. It is a place where emerging designers can bridge the gap between education and the workplace, and established designers can find the creative network and inspiration they need to catapult themselves to the next level.”

“Like all that we do at Qatar Museums, Liwan has one foot in the past, rooted in our cultural history, and the other in the future, elevating our nation and its people to even higher levels. I am confident that great things will emerge from Liwan and I know that the creativity that originates here will contribute greatly to Qatar’s creative economy for generations to come,” she added.

Aisha Bint Nasser Al Sowaidi, Director, Liwan Design Studios and Labs, said: “When I moved from an academic setting to a professional one after I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCU-Q) through its Master of Fine Arts program, I realized that without the scaffolding of an educational institution, it was hard to find a fulfilling artistic community and space to experiment.”

“Qatar Museums has met that need with Liwan, an institution that is far more than a building with design infrastructure. It is a home for the community, where emerging designers can feel welcome, connect with others in their field, and elevate their work,” she added.

Liwan takes its name from the graceful courtyards that served as the physical and emotional center of historic Qatari buildings. Thoughtfully designed private studios and multifunctional shared spaces line its courtyard. Equipped for both individual and larger projects, shared spaces, including a cafe, encourage co-working and collaboration.

The old school library has been carefully updated to a reading room open to the public and houses a curated collection of mid-century children’s books. 

The Liwan building, which has one of the most striking mid-century designs in Doha, is situated in the heart of Msheireb, connecting to Qatar's growing creative community. In early 2019, as part of various conservation efforts across Qatar, the building was reimagined as a creative hub including the Msheireb Art Centre, a collection of studios dedicated to fostering art in Qatar. As an architectural, social, and educational landmark, the building speaks volumes about Qatar's history.

Through its Liwanania series, Liwan offers a diverse schedule of public programs to raise awareness of global and local design thinking and practices. This program includes heritage tours about the building's history, as well as talks, workshops, dinners, exhibitions, film screenings, and networking events. 

There are about 850 children's books and objects in the Liwan Archival Library from the former school. A selection of past children's stories showcasing some of the most iconic illustrations and designs from the Arab world of the late 20th century is displayed. These include iconic works by Helmy El Touny and Burhan Karkoutly. A great deal of contemporary art and design culture in the Arab world is directly inspired by the work in the archive. The library will be open both to the public and will organize Kotob Zaman, a monthly panel discussion.

Liwan's Journal is an online resource for essays, articles, exhibition reviews, and visual pieces exploring contemporary design themes in the Middle East and abroad. A digital journal available on Liwan's website presents Qatar's most innovative creative leaders while connecting local and global voices in design, and encouraging collaboration as well as commentary on matters of cultural and intellectual design. Special guest-edited issues will cover semi-annual themes related to topics like design in pandemics or sports and design.

The Liwan Design Studios and Labs are an integral part of the Qatar Creates program, which is supported by Qatar Airways as its Official Airline Partner. 

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