Ar-Rahbah Market Design at Amman Design Week 2026
Laith Matarweh Studio unveils a permeable urban market structure in Amman, Jordan.
1Project Overview and Scope
The Ar-Rahbah Market project, completed in 2026, spans an area of 850 square meters in Amman, Jordan. Designed by Laith Matarweh Studio for Architecture, the installation serves as a multifunctional urban void. It integrates commercial and social activities within a single, cohesive architectural framework that bridges public space and private commerce.
2Architectural Design Philosophy
Lead architects Laith Matarweh and Hanan Salameh utilized cubic geometries to define the project's form. This design choice directly references the existing urban fabric of Amman, abstracting traditional built volumes into a lightweight, permeable structure. The result is an open, airy environment that facilitates natural movement while maintaining a strong visual identity.
3Technical and Construction Execution
The project was executed with the support of a technical team led by Hanan Salameh, with Almallem Issawi serving as the general contractor. The construction process focused on creating a permeable market structure that mediates between different urban zones. Photography for the completed site was provided by Mohanad Jihad, documenting the final assembly.
4Urban Integration Strategy
Ar-Rahbah functions as an open urban void, intentionally designed to accommodate both social interaction and commercial exchange. By prioritizing permeability, the architecture avoids creating a closed barrier, instead acting as a conduit for pedestrian flow. This approach ensures the market remains an active, accessible component of the city's broader public infrastructure.
5Materiality and Form Abstraction
The structure abstracts the continuous aggregation of built volumes typically found in Amman into a lightweight, modular system. This abstraction allows the market to feel integrated rather than imposed upon the landscape. The cubic form serves as both a functional container for vendors and a symbolic representation of the city's dense architectural history.
6Amman Design Week Context
Unveiled during the 2026 Amman Design Week, the project highlights the role of temporary installations in shaping urban discourse. It demonstrates how architects can utilize small-scale interventions to test larger urban planning concepts. The market serves as a prototype for future commercial developments that prioritize public accessibility and lightweight, sustainable building methods.
7Professional Collaboration Dynamics
The collaboration between the design studio and the general contractor ensured that the complex geometric requirements were met within the 850 square meter site. By aligning technical expertise with design vision, the team successfully delivered a structure that balances aesthetic abstraction with the practical demands of a high-traffic, functional commercial market space.
8Future Implications for Urbanism
Ar-Rahbah signifies a shift toward permeable, community-focused commercial architecture in Jordan. By successfully mediating movement and social activity, the project provides a scalable model for urban designers. Future developments in the region may look to this installation as a benchmark for integrating lightweight, cubic-based structures into dense, historic urban environments effectively.
Original article: ArchDaily Global — Ar-Rahbah Market Design at Amman Design Week 2026