Two ZU Students Top an Abu Dhabi Furniture Design Contest

H.E Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, President of Zayed University, has recently honored two Zayed University students for winning a Furniture Design Contest during a ceremony held at Zayed University Abu Dhabi Campus.

Maryam Abdulrahman Alhammadi and Khawla Ali Alsuwaidi, the dazzling duo from the Collage of Arts and Creative Enterprises (CACE) responded to a Bespoke Furniture Design Contest call by Vision Furniture & Decoration Factory, Abu Dhabi, to produce not just a head-turner, but a modernistic Objet d’art.

“I am privileged to see our students claim outstanding results producing innovative artistic crafts, and showcase their talents across various stations and art exhibitions, it was displayed at the Dubai Canvas 3D Art Festival, Al Serkal Avenue and placed within the Vision Furniture & Decoration Factory to be showcased internationally,” Al Qasimi said. “I appreciate all the efforts presented by the private sector in supporting the educational journey, special thanks to the Vision Furniture & Decoration Factory for providing an exclusive opportunity to CACE-ZU students, enhancing henceforth, their practical capabilities and prepare them to enter the UAE’s creative economy.”

Spearheaded by CACE Assistant Professor of Interior Design Lina Ahmad as part of their Interior design major in Zayed University. The contest required participants to explore innovative furniture design with human interaction as a core theme using ‘Wood’ as a construction material.

“We are grateful to Vision Factory for providing our students with such an opportunity and enabling us to add a practical aspect to a classroom project. This has not only altered the classroom dynamics but also increased the students’ enthusiasm,” said Ahmad.

“Hours of sketching and late-night work had finally paid off,” the due said, they named it ‘The Circuit,’ built and realized as a 1:1 finished product.  The chair was designed for in-library placement, it includes two seating areas with a shelve for each side and a storage area located behind and underneath the chair.

“The idea behind our piece came from the electrical circuit, as we relate it to the fine idea ‘Books enlighten our young souls,” said Alhammadi. “The Circuit was made from two types of wood, the Beech, a hard, strong, heavy type of wood with reddish brown heartwood and light sapwood. And the Mahogany, reddish-brown color that darkens over time, and displays a reddish sheen when polished, it has excellent workability, and is considered very durable.”

Khawla Ali Alsuwaidi mentioned that ‘The Circuit’ was unveiled and exhibited back in November at Al Serkal Dubai, in a group exhibition, which showcased senior student and alumni work from CACE ZU, as part of Dubai Design Week. “We were honored to receive representatives from Al Serkal Avenue who viewed and adored our modern piece, discussing afterward terms and agreements of receiving our artwork to showcase at the avenue in multiple upcoming events.”