THE
CONTEMPORARY MAJLIS

1990 onwards

The various majalis (pl.) of this period have not only expanded the role of the majlis in today’s society, but also have explored new design interpretations of the social practice of gathering in the UAE.

Scroll down for examples of the Contemporary Majlis.

Photo credit: Adina Hempel

Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi (2017)

Presidential Palace | Official Majlis

The Qasr al Watan, translates to the Palace of the Nation from Arabic, is part of the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi and was completed in 2017. The palace is used for official purposes and houses the offices of the president, vice president and the Federal Supreme Council of the UAE. At the center of the palace stands a large dome connecting all 4 wings. Besides a large library and collection of rare artefacts, the palace includes a large majlis, which is used for official purposes. The majlis is set up with richly decorated furniture and wall treatments, emphasizing the importance of the space through its décor and size. Decorative lounge seating’s are lined along the wall, with the space for the majlis host being directly opposite the main entrance to this the gathering space.

Photo credit: Adina Hempel

Photo credit: Adina Hempel

Khawaneej Majlis, Dubai (2020)

Community Building | Neighbourhood Majlis

The Khawaneej community majlis is part of a governmental initiative by Dubai’s Community Development Authority (CDA), which under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai aimed to develop services supporting the welfare of UAE citizens. Throughout various communities such majalis have been built to keep a direct communication with the local community, support education and connection between generations and provide space for social events for residents. The Khawaneej majlis was opened in 2020 and houses a large majlis for about 330 people, which can be subdivide into three smaller ones. The community majlis building often referred to as community council also offers a library, office spaces and dedicated for youth as well.

Photo credit: Adina Hempel

Photo credit: Adina Hempel

Manama, Dubai (2022)

Intellectual Forum | Seasonal Majlis

The term Manama, in Arabic refers to an elevated resting space in a courtyard. The manama would typically be built during summer and could be made of Areesh (palm leaves) or would be built as a solid platform or solid structure. Intending to catch the light coastal breeze during summer, the manama features a rectangular space for seating and resting at its center, a type of majlis. Various construction methods exist throughout the UAE. This specific manama structure was built in 2022 in Dubai’s Nad al Sheba neighborhood and is inspired by the traditional Arabic seating and the Japanese teahouse, thus merging cultural traditional and intending to reinterpret the purpose of traditional typologies space while creating a renewed meaning and purpose. The Nad Al Sheba Manama includes a pitched roof and wind tower ventilation system to create a comforter climate and breeze during the summer month and a sunken seating in the middle. The structure was inspiration for a Ramadan held event by renowned jewelry designer Cartier, hosting an evening salon for cultural and intellectual exchange.

Photo credit: Adina Hempel

Photo credit: Adina Hempel

UAE Pavilion Majlis, EXPO 2020 Dubai

Official Majlis

The UAE Pavilion at the EXPO 2020, a collaboration between the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth and the Salama bint Hamdan al Nahyan Foundation, was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava evoking the image of a “falcon in flight.” The falcon reminds us of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and how falconry created connections between tribes across the region. Following the Expo theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” the pavilion aims fostered the notion of global interconnectivity. The Pavilion also includes a special guest area at it’s centre. This contemporary majlis was designed by the UAE based architecture firm LOCI and highlights the traditional values of the UAE such as community, unity, humility and hospitality. The minimal design of the majlis encourages informal conversations, while creating a connection to the larger community space under the roof of the UAE Pavilion.

Photo credit: Adina Hempel

Read more on the following topics…

TRADITIONAL MAJLIS

MODERN-DAY MAJLIS

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