Indian designer Abdul Mateen is a multidisciplinary artist whose background in architectural studies at the American University of Sharjah informs his approach to design, space, and materiality. Bridging traditional handcraft and advanced technology, from woodworking to robotics, his hands-on practice treats raw materials as active collaborators to explore the intersection of spatial form, craft, and technology.

Rooted in Islamic art and architecture, this project draws on historical principles of diffusion and transformation, such as how muqarnas scatter light and clay mabkhara diffuse incense, to turn heavy materials into sensory experiences. Blending traditional craftsmanship with digital design, the research revives ancient forms by translating historical 2D blueprints (starting with the Maristan al Nuri for MQ01) into tangible, real-world objects, culminating in MQ10.

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