Bait Al Naqda

Commissioned by Shouq Alalawi, then Director of the Handicrafts Department at the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Bait Al Naqda is a house dedicated to showcasing women’s craft through both its products and production process. Situated at the end of the Pearling Path, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the house features low-tech furniture and exhibition displays designed to heighten the bodily experience of visitors.

One of the main displays presents the different patterns of Al Naqda through 3D-printed resin modules mounted on modular tablets. These motifs convey the tactile quality of the stitches, inviting visitors to explore the patterns visually and through touch. The furniture, meanwhile, is designed to integrate seamlessly with the architecture of the traditional courtyard house. Rounded corners are used in an exaggerated way to echo the elasticity and curves of the metallic threads employed in creating these intricate stitches.