Aya Moug, an innovative designer with Egyptian roots, is on a mission to bring an ancient material back into the spotlight of contemporary design. Her work centers on papyrus, a plant steeped in Egyptian history, traditionally used for everything from writing surfaces to everyday objects. Moug has ingeniously developed a unique biomaterial called 'Byblos' from papyrus fibers, which possesses the strength and versatility comparable to clay. This material forms the foundation of her stunning furniture collections, which beautifully merge millennia-old Egyptian aesthetics with a modern design sensibility. Through her creations, Moug not only pays homage to her heritage but also champions papyrus as a sustainable, eco-friendly resource with vast potential for modern applications in interiors and architecture, challenging the perception of papyrus as merely a souvenir material.
Aya Moug's 'Ankh' Collection to Grace Design Doha Exhibition
In a compelling fusion of past and present, Dubai-based designer Aya Moug will unveil her latest furniture series, 'Ankh,' at the prestigious Design Doha exhibition, scheduled from November 5, 2026, to January 31, 2027. Moug's journey into papyrus began during her MA studies in Industrial Design at London's Central Saint Martins, where she recognized the untapped potential of this historically significant plant. Leveraging its inherent strength—akin to wood due to its biochemical composition and natural sap—she spent two years meticulously researching and prototyping to create 'Byblos.' This robust, clay-like biomaterial can be molded by hand or cast into remarkably strong objects, breathing new life into papyrus beyond its current use in tourist trinkets.
Her previous collection, 'Shen,' debuted successfully at the 2023 Downtown Design Dubai, featuring monochrome tables with intricate, marble-like swirling surfaces. This success led to bespoke commissions for notable clients, including members of the UAE royal family, museums, and local restaurants. Moug’s subsequent collections draw heavily from ancient Egyptian iconography: her 'Mooy' collection's console and stool feature striking zig-zag profiles echoing the hieroglyph for water and the Nile's meandering path, while the 'Ze+MET' collection imbues an animalistic grace, reminiscent of ancient chairs with feline-inspired legs, incorporating wood and animal hair for texture. The 'Ankh' series, named after the Egyptian symbol of life, showcases Moug's refined finishing techniques, including intricate hand and machine carving and polishing. Pieces like the 'Ankh II' coffee table, with its surfaces carved with symbols of rebirth and power, and the 'Ankh I' sideboard, featuring a curved door symbolizing a gateway between eras, exemplify her dedication to reviving historical material and symbolic language through contemporary design. Beyond aesthetics, Moug is a staunch advocate for papyrus cultivation, highlighting its rapid growth, renewability, and exceptional ability to filter pollutants. Through her company, Papyri, she is exploring architectural and interior applications for Byblos, with the ambition to integrate papyrus-based products into buildings worldwide, promoting a sustainable future for design.
Aya Moug's dedication to papyrus is more than just a design endeavor; it's a profound statement on cultural preservation, material innovation, and environmental stewardship. Her work serves as an inspiring example of how designers can look to the past to innovate for the future, transforming traditional resources into modern solutions. By elevating papyrus from historical artifact to a cutting-edge biomaterial, Moug challenges us to reconsider undervalued natural resources and their potential contributions to sustainable living and design. Her vision not only enriches the aesthetic landscape but also advocates for a greener, more heritage-conscious approach to material culture, proving that ancient wisdom holds invaluable lessons for contemporary challenges.