The second edition of the AlUla Artist Residency Programme, Design Edition, has officially commenced, welcoming five international and regional designers to the historic city of AlUla for a three-month research and production residency.
The designers selected for this cycle are Altin Studio, Aseel Alamoudi, Ori Orisun Merhav (pictured), Paul Ledron, and Studio ThusThat. Each will spend the duration of the residency immersed in AlUla’s distinctive landscape and heritage, developing design prototypes that will later be exhibited during the AlUla Arts Festival in January 2026
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This edition continues the programme’s focus on creating site-specific urban installations and furniture using local materials and traditional techniques. Participants are encouraged to respond to the unique geography and culture of AlUla while addressing contemporary design needs.
A key element of the programme is collaboration. As with the previous edition, the residency fosters partnerships between international designers, local craftspeople, and regional specialists. The aim is to generate thoughtful, context-aware works that bridge modern design with the deep-rooted traditions of the area.
An international jury of experts oversaw the selection process. The jury includes Humberto Campana, Co-founder of the Campana Brothers; Ali Alghazzawi, Head of the AlUla Artist Residency Programme at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU); and Tulga Beyerle, Director of the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg, among others.
Dominique Petit-Frère, co-founder of Ghana-based architecture and research studio Limbo Accra, serves as Lead Curator for the edition. Her curatorial theme, Designing Within, prompts designers to develop work through a deep, personal connection to place. She will accompany the residents throughout their process, guiding engagement with AlUla’s setting and traditions.
The residency coincides with Saudi Arabia’s Year of Handicrafts, designated by the Ministry of Culture. The initiative encourages the integration of local artisan techniques such as weaving, leatherwork, and stone carving with contemporary design practice.
The works developed during the residency will be featured in a dedicated design strand of the AlUla Arts Festival, alongside other initiatives supported by Arts AlUla and Design Space AlUla. In addition, residents will lead public programmes, offering audiences insight into their creative process and the impact of AlUla on their practice.
The residency is delivered by the Royal Commission for AlUla in collaboration with the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA), and hosted at Mabiti, a creative centre located in a palm grove in the heart of AlUla.
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