United Arab Emirates
Sharjah has announced a new landmark project, Sharjah Creative Quarter (SCQ), designed by award-winning architectural firm Taller de Arquitectura - Mauricio Rocha in collaboration with Daniel Rosselló. This unique project will serve as a distinguished destination for artists, creatives and intellectuals and creatives from both within and outside the country, offering them a platform to showcase their talents and exchange knowledge and experiences with others.
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has appointed Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Supreme Council of Family Affairs, and Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of Sharjah Art Foundation, as the Honorary President and Chairperson of Sharjah Creative Quarter, respectively.
The Sharjah Creative Quarter will comprise diverse and integrated buildings, creating a vibrant hub for creativity and innovation. This dynamic space will foster a community of talented individuals, offering them the freedom to transform their ideas into tangible reality. Key components of the Sharjah Creative Quarter will include:
Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi Collection, a museum showcasing a captivating selection of art and historical artefacts from the personal collection of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Supreme Council of Family Affairs (SCFA).
Qasimi Archives, honouring the legacy of Sheikh Khalid Al Qasimi, founder and designer of the London-based QASIMI fashion label, and cultivating next-generation fashion designers to use clothing as a medium for cultural dialogue and exchange.
Sharjah Fashion Lab, offering world-class expertise empowering local designers by providing access to specialised services, advanced machinery, and technological innovation to develop fashion prototypes, create digital patterns, and produce prototypes that meet global manufacturing standards.
Irthi Museum, an initiative of the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council dedicated to promoting and contemporising Emirati and regional crafts by empowering traditional craftswomen.
Sharjah Design Centre, a newly established initiative pioneering facilities for prototyping and design fabrication through woodwork, ceramics, metalwork, textile, jewellery designing, and additional facilities for design mastery through conversation and experimentation, including fine jewellery and other artistic elements, fostering design mastery through collaboration, experimentation, and a vibrant creative exchange.
The Sharjah Creative Quarter will also include a campus of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, the first in Sharjah and the second in the Middle East. Through a program of courses and talks, L’ÉCOLE is aiming to introduce the public to all aspects of jewellery culture around its three pillars: art history, savoir-faire and the world of gemstones. A library will also be open to visitors and researchers, contributing to the dissemination of jewellery arts and knowledge on an international scale.
Designed to be a vibrant hub, SCQ will provide a stimulating environment that fosters creativity and innovation. Its integrated design, combining green spaces, interconnected buildings, and essential facilities such as cafés, restaurants, and co-working spaces, will create an energetic atmosphere that provides visitors with a platform for cultural and artistic exchange and collaboration.
The spatial integrity of SCQ—bonded by matter, light, and experience—creates a sensorial sequence that invites discovery and surprise. Spaces defragment into walls, voids, and lattices that allow wind, light, and landscape to flow through.
Taller de Arquitectura, the architectural firm headed by Mauricio Rocha and collaborating with Daniel Rosselló for the project, has a distinguished track record in designing museums, public infrastructure and cultural centres, including the Anahuacalli Museum and the School of Visual Arts in Mexico. These projects have solidified the firm's reputation as a leading expert in the field of museums and cultural infrastructure.
Taller’s design for SCQ embodies the principles of sustainability and integration, anchored in enriching visitor experiences. The architect’s selection of materials includes rammed earth, a construction material with very low environmental impact. Integrative design techniques will enhance and synchronise the natural and built environments. This approach ensures a rich and sustainable experience for all, reflecting the project's commitment to environmental responsibility.
In contemplating SCQ’s design, the campus concept stands out as a core theme—a cohesive system where every element contributes to the greater whole. A campus flourishes in the spaces between its components, fostering encounters and exchange of ideas. Central to the quarter’s design is a focus on open, harmonious spaces that dissolve the boundaries between architecture and landscape, encouraging unity, connection, and inclusivity. A place for all.
