Exploring sustainable paper and papyrus-making methods

Hala Al-Ani and Mahy Mourad

Hala Al-Ani and Mahy Mourad have teamed up to embark on an exploration of sustainable paper and papyrus-making methods, leveraging locally-sourced raw materials from the UAE. Their innovative project with UAE Year of Sustainability is a feasibility study of fibrous sheet materials, experimenting with a diverse range of indigenous plants and other raw resources, including repurposed fruit and vegetable waste.

The UAE’s diverse landscape presents fertile ground for incorporating sustainable materials and processes into everyday products.

The history of the nation holds time-honoured wisdom in the sustainable use of the environment, which Hala and Mahy are utilising to foster a deeper understanding of the region’s paper and papyrus-making practices while creating eco-friendly fibrous material that contribute to environmental preservation.

ِAbout Hala Al-Ani

Hala Al-Ani is an Iraqi graphic designer and co-founder of UAE-based Mobius Design Studio, born and raised in the UAE. She holds an MDes. in Graphic Design from the University of Illinois and an MA in Iconic Research from the Basel School of Design. Her work has been featured in international exhibitions like the Sharjah Biennial and Istanbul Design Biennial. She is currently an Assistant Professor in Visual Communication at the American University of Sharjah.

About Mahy Mourad

Mahy Mourad is a practising architect, design educator, and founder and principal of Cairo-based multidisciplinary design practice Studio 39. Mahy holds an MSc. in Integrated Urbanism & Sustainable Design, and her work has been exhibited in Cairo, Alexandria, Dubai, Stuttgart and London. Mahy’s research focuses on design solutions that are responsive to specific sites, with the aim to achieve sustainable compatibility and appropriateness with the surrounding built environment.