Sohail by Ajada is an innovative incense burner designed to elevate a centuries-old ritual through thoughtful product design, engineering, and cultural sensitivity. It features a patented dispensing mechanism, refined materials, and a heritage-inspired silhouette that integrates seamlessly into modern homes. Sohail is both an object of beauty & a refined tool for ritual.
Ajada was founded to reimagine culturally significant but overlooked household objects. Sohail, named after a star revered in Arab astronomy, reflects this mission with a flared form echoing traditional mubkhars & an acid-etched celestial base that enhances grip & symbolism. It connects users emotionally to their heritage while providing practical elegance.
Traditional incense burners have seen little innovation despite their daily use across the Middle East & Asia. Common designs use low-quality materials, are difficult to clean, & can be unsafe. Users rely on makeshift fixes like foil liners to manage ash. Sohail was designed to solve these problems with precision, care, and a deep respect for cultural rituals.
Sohail features a patented internal mechanism that enhances the incense-burning experience. It includes a removable Zamak tray—heat-resistant, lightweight, scratch-proof, and easy to clean. Sliding the outer sleeve triggers a cam-driven 90-degree tray rotation, while ash collects in a hidden chamber that only needs occasional emptying. The tray resets automatically via a spring, ready for reuse. This design eliminates disposable foil, prevents burns, and offers a cleaner, safer, one-handed operation.
ASohail’s design combines minimalist elegance with cultural inspiration, featuring a clean, flared silhouette based on traditional mubkhars. It has a durable double-wall stainless steel body for insulation, a laser-perforated lid for smooth smoke flow, and a natural ashwood ring for a heat-resistant grip. Electrolysis plating and an anti-fingerprint coating ensure lasting durability, while an acid-etched celestial pattern adds decorative detail and functional grip.
Sohail’s design focuses on intuitive and satisfying use, featuring a magnetic diffuser lid for easy, tool-free handling and a smooth sliding sleeve refined for optimal resistance.
Its symmetrical tray reduces user error, while a foam-padded base prevents slipping and protects surfaces. Lightweight yet stable, it supports one-handed use. Modular and repairable, the lid, tray, and sleeve are user-replaceable, ensuring long product life and a rewarding user experience. Sohail promotes sustainability through durable, reusable, and cleanable parts with no disposables. Its modular design allows easy repairs andupgrades, extending product life. The approach focuses on essential functions, reduces waste, and supports reuse and refurbishment, creating a timeless, long-lasting product.
Sohail redefines incense use for today’s culturally rooted yet design-conscious users. Especially relevant for affluent users in the Gulf and beyond, incense plays a daily role in hospitality, identity, and wellness. It modernises this experience through design relevance, intuitive usability, and symbolic storytelling. It bridges generations, introducing younger users to tradition in a form that fits their lifestyle, and gives emotional weight to a familiar object—transforming it into a meaningful part of everyday ritual.
Sohail by Ajada combines beauty, innovation, and meaning. It solves a tangible problem with mechanical precision, respects heritage with visual integrity, and enhances everyday ritual with sensorial richness. Sohail is what good design should be—thoughtful, relevant, and enduring.
Category:HouseholdAward Year:2025Designers:Alex Pearce, Libby Howard, Katie-May Boyd, Seymour Powell, London, United KingdomManufacturer:Abdoolally Ebrahim Housewares, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
