Nothing Starts From Zero: FADAA Founders on Amman Design Week
Architects Sarah Hejazin and Bisher Tabbaa discuss the 2026 edition's focus on cultural accumulation.
1Amman Design Week Returns
After a seven-year hiatus, Amman Design Week returned in 2026 with the theme Accumulations. The event took place from October 2 to 17, gathering designers, makers, and cultural practitioners. This fourth edition aimed to reflect on the evolving work currently shaping the design landscape across Jordan, marking a significant cultural revival.
2New Leadership at FADAA
Architects Sarah Hejazin and Bisher Tabbaa, founders of the design practice FADAA, served as co-directors for this edition. Their appointment signaled a shift toward a research-driven approach for the event's broader program. They focused on investigating how daily practices and cultural memories intersect with the material environments found within the city.
3The Theme of Accumulations
The central theme, Accumulations, challenges the idea of starting from zero in creative work. Hejazin and Tabbaa explored how existing material histories inform contemporary design decisions. By examining the layers of urban life, the curators highlighted that every new architectural or design project is inherently built upon previous cultural and physical foundations.
4Material Investigations in Practice
FADAA utilizes a research-heavy methodology to explore material properties in their professional work. This approach was integrated into the festival, encouraging participants to analyze the lifecycle and reuse of local materials. Their practice emphasizes that understanding the origin and history of a material is essential for sustainable and meaningful design outcomes.
5Jordanian Context and Design
Practicing in Jordan provides a unique framework for Hejazin and Tabbaa to bridge architecture, objects, and public space. Their work reflects the specific socio-cultural conditions of the region, where historical memory plays a vital role in spatial planning. This local perspective informs how they curate exhibitions and design functional, site-specific urban interventions.
6Bridging Memory and Environment
The festival program specifically examined the relationships between cultural memories and the physical environment. By connecting these abstract concepts with tangible design objects, the curators fostered a dialogue about identity. This intersection allows practitioners to address how modern design can respect historical contexts while simultaneously pushing for innovative, future-oriented urban solutions.
7Impact on Local Practitioners
The event served as a platform for local makers to showcase how their work contributes to Jordan's design identity. By facilitating these connections, Hejazin and Tabbaa encouraged a collaborative environment where shared knowledge is prioritized. This collective effort helps strengthen the professional network of designers working within the country's unique architectural constraints.
8Future of Design Curation
The 2026 edition establishes a new benchmark for how design events can integrate research into public programming. By moving beyond simple exhibitions, FADAA demonstrated that curation can act as a form of critical inquiry. This model suggests that future design events will increasingly focus on the deep, layered histories of their locations.
Original article: ArchDaily Global — Nothing Starts From Zero: FADAA Founders on Amman Design Week