Monocle on Design Just deserts: Exploring AlUla’s pioneering design residencies with curator Emily Marant
Apr 7, 2026
Emily Marant, a curator shaping AlUla’s design residencies and site-specific projects. She discusses how short residencies work, projects that use local materials and craft, and how design uncovers the region’s social and material layers. Conversation highlights playgrounds, tiles and adobe furniture, community workshops and how this residency model could be applied elsewhere.
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Heritage And Contemporary Culture Combined
- AlUla combines UNESCO heritage, restored old town and new festival programming to position itself as both historic site and contemporary cultural hub.
- The residency feeds wider initiatives (museums, concerts, festivals) shaping tourism and creative infrastructure.
AlUla As A Design Laboratory
- The AlUla Design Residency treats the region as a living laboratory where designers immerse for three months to respond to local needs.
- Emily Marant runs cohorts of five studios who research materials, craft and social use to create place-specific solutions.
Playful Benches Born From Kids' Workshops
- Asila, a Saudi architect-designer, ran workshops with local children and produced two benches inspired by rock formations.
- The benches reference AlUla's carved-rock aesthetics and invite play while reflecting the landscape.