Arzu Rugs Design by Zaha Hadid, Afghan women weavers project news, ZHA collection image

Arzu Rugs, Afghanistan : Zaha Hadid Rug Collection

“Hope by Designers” collection Afghanistan by ZHA

26 Feb 2013

Arzu Studio Hope’s new Masters Collection rugs launched

Arzu Rugs Masters Collection

Arzu, which means “hope” in Dari, is an innovative model of social entrepreneurship that helps Afghan women weavers and their families break the cycle of poverty by providing them steady income and access to education and healthcare by sourcing and selling the rugs they weave.

Arzu Studio Hope believes in a holistic approach to sustainable poverty alleviation achieved through artisan-based employment that empowers women. Women, earning fair labour wages, weave exquisite hand-knotted rugs at home. Innovative social benefit practices drive transformational change by providing grassroots access to vital education, healthcare, clean water and sustainable community development programs.

20 Mar 2008

Hope by Designers Rug

Zaha Hadid Architects Launch “Hope by Designers” Rug for Arzu Rugs

image from architects

Zaha Hadid Architects have designed for Arzu Rugs a one-of-a kind rug, as part of their “Hope by Designers” collection, with proceeds of all rug sales benefiting Arzu’s programs in Afghanistan. The rug comes in three sizes: 3 x 10, 3 x 12, and 3 x 14 and are all woven by Arzu women weavers in Afghanistan.

Arzu provides sustainable income to Afghan women by sourcing and selling the rugs they weave. Arzu helps weavers and their families break the cycle of poverty by providing them above market compensation and access to education and health care.

To place an order, please contact:

Arzu’s Director of Sales
Suzana Rizzo
Ph.+1 312.321.8665
srizzo@arzurugs.org

Zaha Hadid Arzu Rugs designer, late Iraqi architect based in London.

About Arzu

Arzu, which means “hope” in Dari, assists in the reconstruction of Afghanistan by empowering women, their families and their communities. Arzu believes that income generation opportunities and support for social values enhance and reinforce each other. A holistic model of working in Afghanistan both strengthens the role of women in today’s Afghanistan and establishes a framework of success for the country as it moves forward.

Arzu’s rug-making project creates opportunities for women to generate consistent income. In addition, Arzu invests in the future by providing literacy and education classes as well as essential health care services like pre- and post-natal care. As part of Arzu’s program, all weavers sign a social contract which states that women in the household must attend literacy class and all children in the family, under the age of 15, must go to school.

Meeting these needs sets a foundation of stability for the women, who can then assist their families and participate more fully in their communities.

Arzu’s program is designed to become self-sustaining – a progressive economic approach for a non-profit organization engaged in international development activities.

The more rugs Arzu sells, the more women they can employ and the more children they can send to school. Arzu rugs are an investment in hope.

Location: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, central Asia

Handmade rug collections for ILLULIAN, Salone del Mobile, Milan, Italy
Design: Zaha Hadid Architects

photos courtesy of architects office
Handmade rug collections for ILLULIAN by ZHA

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Afghanistan Architecture

Afghanistan School Building

photo : Article 25
Afghanistan School Building

National Museum of Afghanistan, Kabul
Design: THEEAE LTD. (The Evolved Architectural Eclectic Limited)
building designed by THEEAE LTD. (The Evolved Architectural Eclectic Limited):

image from architects
National Museum of Afghanistan