The Studio
The Space
Clay Encounters, located in Doha, Qatar, is a small independent design and ceramics studio. It was founded in 2018 to have an impact on the local design, and art while also reviving a craft and building an appreciation for designed handmade objects.
The studio is in a quiet and hidden away space in The Pearl’s Qanat Quartier. The studio was opened in 2018 with a single space and in 2020 we added the space next door to accommodate the demand for the studio and everything that we offer.
The Design Lab
Clay Encounters designs, crafts and collaborates on projects to contribute to the field of design. We exhibit our design work at places such as The Venice Biennale in Italy, the Maison et Objet in Paris and the Salone del Mobile in Milan. We also receive design commissions locally by entities such as Qatar Museums and Qatar Airways.
The studio founder is an architect, designer and a Professor in design at Virginia Commonwealth University, so a big aim of the studio is to conduct design research. Design research for us focuses on collaborations because we have found tremendous value in collaboration with designers, artists and institutions. This has led to many projects with the local design community.
The Ceramics Studio & School
We host ceramic workshops that are focused on craft, design, and pottery. We value community engagement and offer a unique experience to participants. Classes are offered to all ages and are the focus of the studio. Through the classes we teach a craft and develop the community’s appreciation for design, craft and making!
The Artisinary
We design custom made collections for cafes, restaurants, chefs, coffee enthusiasts, institutions, and anyone with a love for ceramics. We also experiment and design small collections that we sell at our studio as well as places such as Qatar National Museum, The Hilton at the Pearl, Lusail and many more. Everything we make is desidned and made in our studio by us!
The studio founder is an architect, designer and a Professor in design at Virginia Commonwealth University, so a big aim of the studio is to conduct design research. Design research for us focuses on collaborations because we have found tremendous value in collaboration with designers, artists and institutions. This has led to many projects with the local design community.
