fbpx
Close

A new ceramics studio in Kuwait City is making the traditional craft accessible to all

From Mud is headed by ceramicist Aisha Al Saif who aims to make clay works accessible across Kuwait

Sitting on the first floor of a 1967 Modernist building in Kuwait City’s textile market is a new ceramics studio, From Mud, founded by ceramicist Aisha Al Saif, whose aim is to make design through clay more accessible to those living in Kuwait. The studio is part of an upsurge of creative spaces that are influencing a wave of regeneration in the Gulf city’s textile market, which is widely known as ‘blokat’.

“The building that From Mud now calls home was once the largest shopping centre in the city. It defined a modern urban environment, functioning as a covered market,” explains Kuwaiti designer Rawan Muqaddas, whose eponymous practice – founded three years ago – is behind the pared-back interiors of the studio space.

“Today, we see that the retail vendors have remained on street level; however, the upper floors [of the building] have fallen tired. Today, spaces such as From Mud are shifting the urban fabric and introducing young energy by bringing an audience into [what have now become] neglected spaces. The façade of the building is protected from Kuwait’s harsh sun by concrete plates that one cannot help but imagine as a reflection of the fabric palettes sold downstairs. This was translated into the adjustable shelving in the interior as an ode to the exterior,” the designer adds.

Based between Kuwait and London, Rawan Muqaddas already has a cluster of projects already under its belt, including a two-bedroom refurbishment in Brooklyn and a six-bedroom refurbishment project in London. The team consists of Muqaddas herself and two other female designers from Turkey and Lebanon.

The relaxed atmosphere of the workspace draws inspiration from the simplicity of clay itself, conveyed through clean lines and a soothing colour palette. The idea of movement informed the design process, where Muqaddas observed the various motions taking place while creating with clay, making note of the fluid lines formed by the material itself. The warmth of the space is largely due to the encompassing use of wood, such as the solid and veneered maple wood that is juxtaposed by stainless steel and powder-coated metal in the adjustable shelving system and brackets.

One of the main requirements for the space was storage and shelving, which corresponds to the daily routine of the ceramicist. The studio also includes a kiln room, a semi-private office and a lounge area.

One of the most inviting features within the interiors is the light distribution that mimics the building’s concrete façade and casts linear shadows across space.

“The emphasis on light was key throughout the design, as the importance of natural and adequate light while crafting clay [is paramount],” Muqaddas says. “By reinterpreting the building’s façade into the rhythm of the perimeter shelving, you begin to see the interplay and juxtaposition of the façade’s shadows against the interior at different times of day. The fluted glass was then introduced to create translucency and allow for privacy where needed.”

Muqaddas adds that the approach taken with interiors of the ceramics studio mirrors the ethos of her design practice, which honours the team’s love “for the rawness of simple things” through a culmination of minimal and timeless spaces that evoke emotion.

The Latest

Elevating Saudi Arabia’s Design Scene

We interview Mette Degn-Christensen, Director of Downtown Design on the fair’s inaugural Riyadh edition

AATI Store in Jumeirah

Aati opens a new showroom in Jumeirah

With a new 800-square-metre location on Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Road, Aati strengthens its position as the Middle East’s definitive destination for luxury interiors.

What’s New: The Linealight Collection

The new releases by the brand at Euroluce 2025 blend technology and aesthetics

MOLTENI

A Greater Evolution

VVD kitchen by Vincent Van Duysen evolves with elevated detail

HACKER

Silent Move

A work surface by Häcker Kitchen can help transcend boundaries in your space

A Strong and Dramatic Appeal

Three new pearl-effect colours add a sophisticated touch to Musa

Uniting Culture, History and Cuisine

In the heart of Sharjah, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi reimagines the meaning of home through a soulful, sensory experience inspired by the Silk Road

In Perfect Harmony

Saya Studio has completed a music room that reflects contemporary eclecticism

Wabi-Sabi Sanctuary

Japanese aesthetics, fashion influences and nature meet in the Portland home of interior designer Jeanne Feldkamp

A Surreal Tribute

“Water, salt and olive oil. That’s what it takes to survive,” says designer Philippe Starck, who created the new La Almazara olive oil museum outside Ronda, Spain

Big and Quiet

The new Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde BP03 is perfect for open-plan spaces

Bridging the Past, Present and Future

Ignacio Gomez, Global Design Principal at Aedas reflects on the firm’s two decades in the Middle East