The inaugural activation, a two-day rug design workshop with Kahhal 1871 on 8–9 November, invited emerging designers and the public to explore traditional craftsmanship, contemporary design and the impact of giving back
Doha, Qatar; 10 November 2026: Doha Design District (DDD), powered by Msheireb Properties, has announced the launch of 'Giving by Design', a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative that brings together design, creative education and community impact.
Founded on the belief that design can transform more than the spaces people inhabit, Giving by Design creates a platform where learning a craft can help shape a child's future.
Through hands-on experiences that bring together established creative brands, experienced practitioners and aspiring designers, the initiative aims to preserve cultural knowledge, encourage creative learning and turn craftsmanship into meaningful social impact.
The initiative reflects Doha Design District's commitment to a design culture that reaches beyond aesthetics, linking creative practice with cultural continuity, sustainability and social responsibility. Each activation allows participants to develop skills, engage with different design disciplines and contribute to a shared educational cause. Under the Giving by Design model, 100% of net proceeds from ticket sales support educational projects run by the Education Above All Foundation.
Shaikha Al Sulaiti, Senior Concept Manager at Doha Design District said: "Corporate social responsibility is integral to Doha Design District's vision and mission. We believe design has the power to create positive change beyond the creative community, and Giving by Design allows us to turn that belief into meaningful action. Through this initiative, we aim to expand educational opportunities for children and communities who need them most. In doing so, we hope to broaden access to opportunity, nurture future generations and ensure that creativity delivers lasting social impact."
The programme will grow through activations spanning a range of creative disciplines and learning experiences. Following the inaugural Kahhal 1871 workshop, planned activities include a design fair and a collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar in 2027.
Kahhal 1871 Workshop: From Heritage to Contemporary Design
The first Giving by Design activation took place on 8–9 November 2026 at Sada, on the first floor of Doha Design District in Msheireb Downtown Doha. Developed in partnership with Kahhal 1871, Egypt's oldest luxury rug manufacturer, the two-day programme introduced emerging designers to the heritage, craftsmanship and creative thinking behind handmade rugs, guiding them from research and storytelling to an original rug concept.
Led by Mohamed El Kahhal, Managing Director of Kahhal 1871 and a fifth-generation member of the Kahhal family, the workshop explored how traditional techniques and cultural narratives can inform contemporary design. Drawing on more than 150 years of rug-making heritage, participants examined the enduring value of handmade craftsmanship and how a brand's history, materials, colours and stories can inspire new creative directions.
Moving from theory to practice, participants learned the fundamentals of hand-knotted, hand-tufted and flat-weave rug-making before trying tufting under the supervision of a Kahhal craftsperson. Guided exercises helped them create mood boards, explore materials and colour palettes, refine their concepts and translate their research into original rug artwork.
The first day covered Kahhal 1871's heritage, the language and techniques of handmade rugs, a live tufting demonstration and an introduction to concept development. On the second day, participants refined their narratives, selected materials and colours, and developed and presented their final rug designs.
A highlight of the programme was the opportunity for one winning concept to become part of Doha Design District. DDD will commission the selected design, which Kahhal 1871 will produce within three months for display on site. The commission embodies the workshop's central idea: heritage remains a living practice when knowledge is shared, skills are developed and traditional techniques are reinterpreted for contemporary contexts.
Ticket proceeds from the Kahhal 1871 workshop support educational projects through Giving by Design, connecting each participant's learning experience with the initiative's broader educational purpose.
Through Giving by Design, Doha Design District aims to build an enduring platform for sharing creative knowledge, celebrating craftsmanship and advancing a wider social purpose. The Kahhal 1871 workshop marks the beginning of this journey, inviting the public to learn, create and give back through design.