The Algorithmic Mashrabiya: Reimagining the Traditional Islamic Screen
By Ahmed Nour
Abstract: 
Traditionally, a mashrabiya was an ornate wooden structure attached to the side of an Arabian building or house, with small, intricately patterned openings to provide both ventilation and privacy for the people inside. The patterns, following the geometric rules of Islamic ornament, lent a distinctive appearance to buildings in the region. A mashrabiya converted the house into a safe, private sanctuary, providing a magical scene inside, characterized by linear sun rays, filtered points of light and shadow. Over time, as building technology changed and the number of skilled craftsmen dwindled, the traditional mashrabiya has all but vanished. The aim of this thesis is to propose a new future for the mashrabiya, converting it from a stylistically preordained Islamic artifact to a culturally resonant architectural element expressive of Arabic culture and lifestyle. The research explores connections between culture and nature, using a generative design process powered by algorithms, to produce patterns inspired by nature reminiscent of formations found in the Arabian desert. A contemporary structure, The Algorithmic Mashrabiya is respectful of the Islamic principles embedded within the traditional mashrabiya but is newly aligned with the needs and capabilities of twenty-first century architecture.
By Nada Elkharashi
Abstract: 
We all use everyday objects as part of our daily routines, but the way we use them varies from one culture to another. Using George Herbert Mead’s study of human conduct and Louis H. Sullivan’s credo, “Form follows function,” this thesis examines the cultural meanings and implications surrounding the fundamental act of drinking water. Using a methodology of iterative, exploratory making, a collection of glass vessels explores philosophical and physical manifestations of Islamic cultural principles derived from the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم. With the goal of restoring cultural integrity to our daily activities, the work highlights specific cultural traditions and values, offering a critical examination of our interactions with everyday objects.
Third Culture Kids - Playing to Heal
By Amna Sana
Abstract: 
With increased globalization and a large expat population, Qatar is home to increasing numbers of Third Culture Kids (TCKs). TCKs are children who live in a country where their parents are non-native, children who grow up between cultures. Young TCKs, especially children between the ages of three and seven, do not possess the skills to adequately vocalize their feelings, but fortunately, play therapy allows them to articulate problems and feelings on their own terms. This thesis addresses the emotional hurdles facing TCKs, using concepts derived from play therapy and offering a series of interactive objects designed to reflect emotional expression through movement. Designed for use in a therapeutic playroom, the objects facilitate communication between the TCK and the therapist.
Yolkkh: The Story of My People
By Amna Yandarbin
Abstract: 
The name of my project is: Yolkkh, The Story of My People. With this project I present a series of scarves each one bearing an illustrated scene in order to tell a story – my story and the story of the Noxci people. Noxci are the people who are referred to as “Chechens” by Russians and are generally known by that title. As a Muslim, I have witnessed the way Western media tend to dehumanize my community. In order to contrast this dehumanizing process, I thought that telling the story of my family would help reverse Islamophobic tendencies and raise empathy. The story of my family highlights the efforts and the value in preserving our native Noxci identity even through the most painful and enduring events, including war, migration, violence and death. The visual storytelling starts with the childhood of my mother. At the climax of the narration, the focus shifts from my mother to myself, visualizing scenes of my childhood all the way to my vision for my future. Through this project I aim to give a voice to the Noxci community, so to spread awareness. Furthermore, I hope that this project can inspire other minorities worldwide who are oppressed and are victims of colonization and racism to stand up and share their stories. I strongly believe in storytelling as a way to inform and connect with the audience in an empathetic and human way. This project marks the beginning of my journey as a designer activist committed to give voice to minorities worldwide, whether Muslim or of other faith. My ambition expands beyond religion, trying to reach all aspects of us being humans. I start by telling my story, hoping that others will follow.
Humanizing Architecture: A Polymorphic Space
By Nada Abbara
Abstract: 
The built environments in which our communities thrive constitute an integral part of human experience and evolution. Yet, many places are detached from the way we experience them due to mass-production, which often produces standardized environments, and due to the tendency of modern architecture to delineate spaces as static objects rather than dynamic interactions. Thus, there is an emerging need to humanize architecture through an interdisciplinary approach that engages nature’s behavioral patterns. The project proposes a transformable polyhedral structure that interacts with human emotion through a three-dimensional morphing space that contracts and expands. This spatial interaction is achieved through a comprehensive process of employing the principles of interactive design and by applying mechanical construction techniques of transformable polyhedrons inspired by Buckminster Fuller’s Jitterbug.
Reclamancipation: A Story of Brilliance, Resilience, and Transilience
By Nia Campbell
Abstract: 
The experiences of African American women are composed of more than the maltreatment that often exclusively defines them. Oppression and celebration intermingle to define the identities of African American women, and this thesis proposes a method to understand this reality through an exchange of stories in the form of a customizable board game. The game educates those inside and outside the African American women’s community by encouraging the emancipation of self, decolonization of society, and formation of empathy. This thesis embraces intersectional feminism, womanism, and linguistic descriptivism. The research is informed by personal narratives of African American women ages 23-71 and a “call and response” interview methodology.
The Default: The Paradox of Play and Productivity
By Yeon Hwang
Abstract: 
Society takes a dim view of idleness, regarding downtime as wasted time, but what if society’s view is wrong? This thesis champions daydreaming; it advocates for quirky, playful experiences that improve quality-of-life by avoiding burnout and mitigating tedium. Borrowing language from the Theatre of the Absurd, The Default challenges society’s attitudes toward productivity, striking a new relationship between a cubicle worker and a set of seemingly-familiar but surprising objects. Reflecting on the absurdity of contemporary work-life imbalance, the objects and narratives depicted in The Default invite playful interactions, when objects that appear to be normal behave unexpectedly. The Default is presented as a narrative video, mapped and projected onto real versions of the space and objects depicted in the video, playing with the boundaries between what is real and what is imaginary, triggering reflection on how we spend our time, and how we interact with the objects in our lives.