bahraini—danish

‘bahraini—danish’ is an establishment using cultural differences, both social and professional, as a means to create. Established in Bahrain in 2016, ‘bahraini—danish’ was named after the many historical encounters between Denmark and Bahrain, especially in archaeology, architecture and dairy production. Through dialogue and by vote, architects Batool Alshaikh, Maitham Almubarak, and Christian Vennerstrøm Jensen, work their way, furniture by furniture, towards finding a new shared understanding. Observing at the crossing between two realities makes familiar things to appear differently in this new, unfolding landscape.

bahraini—danish are conceiving new ideas through their discoveries of artisans and materials available, exploring local opportunities to create. Often creating objects that can be easily disassembled, they want to incorporate an architectural dimension to their work: revealing that their furniture is secretly a placeholder for their original desire to make architecture. Their work has been presented around the Gulf and continues to fan from A’ali and Copenhagen out into the world. 

Christian Vennerstrøm Jensen (b. August 1988) graduated from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture in Copenhagen in 2015. He worked for Studio Anne Holtrop in Bahrain from 2015 to 2018. 

Batool Alshaikh (b. August 1991) graduated from the University of Bahrain, Architecture. Sakhir, Bahrain in 2015. She continues her practice while also working for the Bahrain Authority of Culture and Antiquities. 

Maitham Almubarak (b. February 1992) graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design, Architecture. Savannah, GA, USA in 2014. He works for Studio Anne Holtrop in Bahrain.