Rabat – Moroccan designers, architects, and artisans have earned five finalist spots across four major categories of the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) Design Prize 2026, highlighting the country’s growing influence in contemporary Arab design, architecture, craftsmanship, and cultural preservation.
The finalists reflect the diversity of Morocco’s creative scene, with projects that blend traditional craftsmanship, sustainable practices, and modern innovation while celebrating the country’s rich cultural heritage.
In the Emerging Talent category, Othmane Bengebara was selected for “Irtah!,” a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Moroccan seating.
The project combines local craftsmanship, textile design, and new technologies to reimagine a familiar element of Moroccan culture.
For the Contemporary Craftsmanship Prize, Imane Mellah was shortlisted with “Bab,” a textile artwork inspired by the iconic doors of Morocco’s medinas.
The piece is created using artisanal techniques that reference Amazigh weaving traditions while offering a modern artistic expression.
Casablanca-based architecture firm 99+ X Architects, founded by Alaa Halifi and El Yazid Boudraa, is a finalist for the Impact – Arab Bank Switzerland Prize with “What Remains: Atlas of a Disappearing Casablanca.”
The project transforms rubble from urban demolitions into reusable materials, preserving the architectural memory of Casablanca while promoting sustainable construction and material reuse.
In the Grand Prize category, architect Salima Naji was recognized for the Tiznit Heritage Interpretation Center, a rammed-earth project built within the city’s historic walls.
The center reflects Naji’s long-standing commitment to preserving and promoting Morocco’s architectural heritage through traditional building techniques.
Created by the Institut du Monde Arabe, the Design Prize honors innovative achievements in design, architecture, and craftsmanship while celebrating the cultural identities and traditional know-how of the Arab world.
The winners will be announced during a ceremony at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris on September 9, as part of Paris Design Week.
All finalist projects will also be showcased in a public exhibition at the IMA from September 3 -20.
