Jonathan Ashmore, founding principal of ANARCHITECT, in his London office.
British-born architect Jonathan Ashmore, founder and principal of ANARCHITECT, is redefining contemporary design in the Middle East and beyond. Based in Dubai with an international footprint, Ashmore has established himself as a visionary known for his ability to balance modern minimalism with material richness and contextual depth.
Militza and Jonathan Ashmore
Educated in the UK and trained across Europe and the Middle East, Ashmore founded ANARCHITECT in 2013 with a clear mission: to create architecture that is both rigorously refined and deeply responsive to its environment. Under his leadership, the studio has grown into a globally recognized practice with a reputation for award-winning work that spans residential, hospitality, cultural, and commercial sectors.
Ashmore’s approach is rooted in a quiet, purposeful aesthetic one that respects context, climate, and craft. His projects are known for their tactile materiality, architectural precision, and seamless integration between interior and exterior space.
Among his standout works is the Al Faya Desert Retreat & Spa in Sharjah, UAE a stunning transformation of a 1960s clinic and fuel station into a contemporary wellness destination. With its rust-toned steel and weathered stone finishes, the retreat is a masterclass in restrained design set against a raw desert landscape.
Another defining project is the Chabros Villa, a private residence in Dubai that reflects Ashmore’s talent for blending sculptural minimalism with warm, livable interiors. Additionally, his Residential Mountain Villa in Lebanon showcases the studio’s ability to work across extreme topographies, balancing architectural geometry with breathtaking views.
Akin at the Beach Barbershop by ANARCHITECT showcases an extensive use of sustainably-sourced American Hardwood. Photo: Marc GoodwinThe upcoming Harding Boutique Hotel in Ahangama, Sri Lanka by ANARCHITECT emphasises Ashmore’s contextual design philosophy
Beyond built work, Ashmore is also a frequent speaker and design advocate, pushing the dialogue around sustainable, site-sensitive architecture in the Gulf region and globally.
As both a creative leader and craftsman, Jonathan Ashmore brings a rare sensitivity to modern architecture one that bridges innovation with timelessness, and rigor with emotion. His work doesn’t shout it resonates.
Flanked by Atelier Van Lieshout’s Statistocrat lamp and Joseph D’Urso swivel chairs in similar hues, the living room’s Deborah Kass OY/YO rests on a custom table, backed by Workstead’s Hieroglyph sconces and a Robert Rauschenberg artwork.
In the world of interiors, few designers channel pure happiness as effortlessly and unapologetically as Ghislaine Viñas. Known for her playful yet purposeful use of color and bold design narratives, Viñas brings her signature energy to a 6,000-square-foot home in Pound Ridge, New York her third collaboration with a loyal client who previously enlisted her talents for a Manhattan loft and a Palm Beach condo.
Viñas’s ShweShwe wallpaper in the main bedroom, where an Isamu Noguchi lamp joins the custom headboard upholstered in a cotton blend, derives from traditional South African prints.
Originally built in the 1980s, the sprawling, three-level residence sat on a picturesque 5.5-acre wooded plot, but its interiors told a different story. Dated and dim, with dark-wood floors dominating nearly every room, the house lacked warmth, let alone the vibrant character Viñas is known for. “It did not exude joy,” the designer recalls with characteristic candor.
To breathe new life into the home, Viñas envisioned a full-scale transformation one that honored the clients’ love of mid-century design while making space for her expressive, contemporary aesthetic. The goal: to strike a joyful balance between bold and livable.
The kitchen was updated with engineered-stone counters, ceramic backsplash tiles, a stainless-steel hood, and Jason Miller’s Endless pendant fixture.In the mudroom, Viñas’s custom console joins her Mock Rock wallpaper and a collage by her daughter, Saskia.
The redesign began with a crisp architectural envelope whitewashed walls and wide-plank, Scandinavian-style pale oak floors that allowed colorful moments to take center stage. Saturated hues of blue, green, and orange punctuate the home, reflecting the family’s palette preferences while creating visual rhythm throughout the space.
Beyond Piet Hein Eek’s Old Lampshade chandelier, the second-floor landing showcases a trio of hand-painted wallpaper sheets above a Wrongwoods credenza by Richard Woods and Sebastian Wrong.A prefab garage was transformed into a guesthouse via new windows, a hip ceiling, and such furnishings as Charles and Ray Eames chairs and an Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby sofa.
“My methodology is always collaborative,” Viñas notes. “It’s about extracting what I can from myself and blending it with what the client dreams of.”
That philosophy is evident in every room from the energized gathering spaces to the quieter private quarters all unified by a spirit of optimism and individuality.
The result is a home that feels anything but generic. It’s a joyful retreat a vibrant reflection of both designer and client, and a testament to the transformative power of thoughtful, fearless design.
The basement-level media room sports another oak coffee table and a wool rug, both custom—as is the ottoman, dressed in Paul Smith’s Velvet Stripe.
Thoughtful Tweaks and Artistic Flourishes: Ghislaine Viñas’s Layered Vision Comes to Life
Although the original layout of the Pound Ridge home remained largely untouched, designer Ghislaine Viñas made intentional refinements that transformed the residence without unnecessary waste. “There was no need for structural changes,” she notes. “I prefer to work with what’s there just with a different lens.” Out went the traditional moldings and baseboards; in their place came bold vertical elements graphic wall paneling and hand-painted stripes that delivered both texture and rhythm.
To further elevate the architectural character, Viñas brought in long-time friend and collaborator Alan Barlis, principal of BarlisWedlick Architects, alongside associate Jessie Goldvarg. “Our interventions focused on the thresholds both literal and conceptual,” Barlis explains. Their scope included extensive exterior work: reimagined landscaping and hardscaping, nearly 2,500 square feet of new decks and patios, and newly articulated indoor-outdoor connections that extend the living experience beyond the walls. Perhaps the most notable addition is a former garage, now re-envisioned as a 550-square-foot guest barn, clad in Scandinavian-inspired finishes and flooded with light.
In the game room, with sliders leading out to the pool, hand-painted stripes by Paulina Trojnar backdrop Pierre Paulin’s linen-covered Pumpkin swivel chairs and a Ping-Pong table by Antoni Palleja Office.
Inside, Viñas sidestepped predictable mid-century modern tropes by blending rare vintage finds with bespoke furnishings of her own design. In the living room, a custom white-oak coffee table featuring playful inset color blocks sits harmoniously among icons like Joseph D’Urso chairs, a Warren Platner ottoman, and a sculptural lamp by Dutch design collective Atelier Van Lieshout. Viñas, who is Dutch herself and spent her formative years in South Africa, brings global layers to every detail.
Above the main stair, a striking 11-foot chandelier by Piet Hein Eek, fashioned from mismatched glass shades, becomes an architectural moment unto itself. The newly refined staircase now features a fluid, sculptural railing that adds elegance to its function. On the landing, a Saarinen settee shares space with a bold art credenza by Richard Woods, adding visual tension and unexpected wit.
In the primary bedroom, scale is managed masterfully through a double headboard—one layer upholstered, the other wood-paneled creating a tactile, dimensional focal point that both anchors and softens the space.
Through layered craftsmanship and fearless vision, Viñas and her collaborators have given this once-ordinary home a wholly new narrative one where joy, artistry, and intention shape every corner.
For Olena Korzh, cofounder of Bordo Design, crafting her own family home in Kyiv wasn’t simply a design exercise it was a deeply personal exploration of restraint, meaning, and emotional resonance. Eschewing color bursts and decorative flourishes, Korzh chose instead to build visual intrigue through texture and form. The result is a minimalist sanctuary where each surface and object carries quiet significance.
“I intentionally avoided anything superfluous,” Korzh reflects. “I wanted every piece to have not only a function, but emotional weight something that matters.”
This ethos is evident throughout the apartment, which is notably spare in storage but rich in considered detail.
“I realized that in all our previous homes, TV stands either remained empty or became cluttered with unused items. Since they weren’t functional for us, I decided not to get one entirely in our new home,” explains Korzh.
At the heart of the space are the sculptural, embossed wall panels soft, wave-like forms that ripple gently across otherwise minimalist backdrops. Their presence, Korzh explains, is a counterpoint to the rigid geometries often found in modern interiors. “I was craving softness and movement something alive. The walls bring an organic calm, echoing the natural world in a way that feels instinctive, not forced.”
The kitchen has no upper wall cabinets. Kitchen. Lamps by Zambelis and tiles by Ceramiche Refin. The round lamp overhead is costume.The embossed walls add visual intrigue in the living and dining room, which includes a custom-made table by Masio.
This philosophy of conscious consumption guided every design decision. Materials were selected with intention; furnishings are multifunctional, understated, and often vintage.
“This approach made my home feel not only visually harmonious, but authentically mine,” Korzh shares. “There’s nothing extra only what truly belongs.”
A muted palette of warm beiges grounds the space, lending a sense of openness and light. Delicate accents brushed gold finishes, soft velvet textures layer in subtle warmth. “Beige became my color not because it’s neutral, but because it soothes,” she explains. “It doesn’t overwhelm. It gives space to breathe.”
A wide table in the bedroom serves as both a workspace for two and a boudoir vanity.
Among the few standout furnishings is a green velvet sofa, positioned like an anchor within the main living space. It’s Korzh’s favorite element a tactile, emotional centerpiece. “It’s more than a seat,” she says. “It invites pause. I find myself drawn to it not just to sit, but to be still, to exhale. That’s the power of a truly meaningful object.”
A contrasting palette of green ceramic tilesOne bathroom features terra-cotta walls.
In Korzh’s Kyiv apartment, beauty lies in the intention behind every curve, texture, and hue. It’s a space where design doesn’t just serve it resonates. A quiet, sculptural home that, like nature itself, asks for nothing and gives everything.
Set within the raw, elemental landscape of Tinos, this project responds to the island’s dramatic topography and austere beauty with an architecture that is both grounded and evocative. Characterized by its rocky morphology and wind-swept terrain, the Cycladic site calls for a design approach rooted in integration rather than imposition.
The result is a linear composition of six cave dwellings, discreetly carved into the slope and aligned to follow the land’s natural contours. These subterranean structures, partially embedded in the earth, are punctuated by protruding volumes that emerge like geological formations solid masses echoing the native rock. Together, they create a compelling interplay of void and mass, depth and surface.
The communal spaces are designed to continuously engage with the seascape, framing expansive views through large, strategically placed openings. Interior and exterior boundaries dissolve as U-shaped courtyards and sunken terraces draw the architecture outward. These sculpted voids not only house private plunge pools but also amplify the experiential layering of light, air, and landscape.
Private outdoor areas are subtly defined by monolithic prisms architectural gestures that mirror the island’s rocky outcrops. Openings remain minimal, reinforcing the sheltering, intimate feel of the cave typology while allowing controlled glimpses toward the horizon.
The material palette is intentionally subdued, aligning with the natural hues of the Tinian terrain. Colored plasters, exposed and chipped concrete, and locally sourced stone offer rich, tactile surfaces that interact dramatically with the shifting light, creating textured shadows that animate the architecture throughout the day.
This project is not merely a cluster of dwellings but a meditative composition in dialogue with its environment—an architectural expression that is as much about excavation as it is about form, where landscape and living are interwoven with restraint and reverence.
Tucked into the rugged hills of Antiparos, Greece, Villa Exomandria is a quiet celebration of architecture in dialogue with nature. Designed by Aristides Dallas Architects in collaboration with Magna Graecia and brought to life through the visual storytelling of CUUB Studio, this 700 m² private residence is nestled within a generous 10,000 m² site, offering sweeping views of the Aegean and surrounding islands.
Design Rooted in Place
The concept behind Villa Exomandria is deeply grounded literally and philosophically in its environment. The architecture takes its cues from the landscape, using raw concrete, local stone, and natural textures to gently embed itself into the hillside. The resulting structure feels less like an imposition and more like a natural extension of the terrain, shaped by sun, wind, and time.
Material Honesty and Mediterranean Warmth
In keeping with Cycladic tradition, the villa embraces simplicity. Whitewashed stone, timber beams, and earth-toned finishes echo the surrounding palette of dry grasses, weathered rocks, and salt-kissed air. These natural materials, chosen as much for their durability as for their beauty, create a calm, grounded interior that remains open to the light and rhythm of the landscape beyond.
Flowing Spaces, Seamless Transitions
With six bedrooms, each featuring its own en-suite, the villa is designed to accommodate privacy and gathering in equal measure. The master suite is a private retreat, while the open living areas unfold effortlessly toward outdoor terraces and shaded lounges. Glass walls dissolve boundaries, inviting in views of sea and sky, and the infinity pool traces the contours of the land, blurring the line between built form and nature.
A Visual Language of Light and Texture
CUUB Studio’s renderings beautifully capture the understated elegance of Villa Exomandria. The visuals focus on how light grazes textured surfaces, how shadows dance across stone, and how the home breathes with the land. There’s an organic softness to the imagery, emphasizing the villa’s role not as an architectural statement, but as a place to simply be connected, calm, and immersed in its setting.
Villa Exomandria is more than a home; it’s an experience shaped by the elements. Through its restrained materiality, sensitive site integration, and open, flowing spaces, it offers a quiet luxury one that listens to its landscape and lives in harmony with it. This is contemporary Cycladic living, reimagined with humility and grace.
The Luxury Double-Height Villa stands as a beacon of refined sophistication and architectural mastery. With its striking double-height ceilings, this expansive residence embraces openness, creating an awe-inspiring sense of volume and light. The interiors, a perfect blend of contemporary aesthetics and timeless luxury, offer a seamless integration of space, materials, and craftsmanship, resulting in a home that is both visually captivating and supremely functional.
Design Concept: Harmonizing Grandeur and Function
At the heart of the villa’s design is a deep commitment to balance—where form meets function in an open-plan layout that facilitates fluid movement while maintaining a strong sense of delineated spaces. The design effortlessly merges the villa’s grandeur with intimate zones, each thoughtfully curated with custom-made furniture, art pieces, and sophisticated joinery that subtly define areas without interrupting the expansive flow.
Materials & Palette: A Curated Selection of Luxurious Textures
A refined palette of premium materials sets the tone for the villa’s opulent interiors. Rich Italian marble flooring and countertops create an air of sophistication, while exotic wood finishes bring warmth and depth to the living spaces. Accents of gold and brass in light fixtures and accessories inject a sense of glamour, seamlessly elevating the villa’s design to new heights of luxury. The overall effect is one of understated elegance, where every detail serves to enhance the villa’s commanding presence.
Spatial Layout: Maximizing Light and Openness
The expansive double-height living areas serve as the villa’s visual centerpiece, creating a striking focal point that connects seamlessly with the surrounding spaces. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the interiors with natural light, establishing a connection with the outdoors while maintaining privacy and comfort. Custom-designed furniture pieces are strategically placed to enhance the open layout, ensuring that every corner of the villa is a cohesive, visually dynamic experience.
Atmosphere: Refined Luxury at Every Turn
The villa’s atmosphere is crafted to embody luxury, comfort, and ease. An intricate layering of lighting—from ambient to task and accent—creates an environment that can be adapted to any occasion, ensuring both functionality and mood. Smart home technology further elevates the living experience, offering residents complete control over their environment. This carefully curated ambiance invites relaxation, making every moment spent in the villa an experience of pure indulgence.
About Esraa Eleman: Crafting Timeless, Bespoke Interiors
Designed by a prestigious interior design studio known for its exceptional residential projects, the Luxury Double-Height Villa showcases the firm’s expertise in creating bespoke, high-end interiors. With a focus on blending innovative design with practicality, the studio is renowned for creating spaces that reflect the unique tastes and needs of their clients, while maintaining a signature style that is elegant, timeless, and contemporary. Their approach to design is grounded in the belief that true luxury lies in the perfect balance between beauty and function, a principle that resonates throughout the villa.
By Esraa Eleman | architecture & interior designer
A captivating dining experience where natural elements harmonize with modern sophistication. The restaurant’s interior blends sculptural furnishings, warm earthy tones, and elegant lighting to craft an inviting and refined ambiance.
Set against the tranquil backdrop of Dubai’s coastline, Playa del Paraíso is a high-end bar and restaurant that redefines coastal luxury. The interior concept artfully merges contemporary refinement with organic tranquility, crafting a space where design and atmosphere elevate every moment of the dining experience.
As the lead designer, I oversaw the entire creative vision of the project from conceptual development and spatial layout to the curation of materials, detailed design work, and final visual presentation.
Design Concept & Vision
Anchored in the ethos of relaxed luxury, the design draws from the sun-drenched spirit of Mediterranean beach culture and the fluid forms of organic architecture. The result is a serene sanctuary that exudes effortless elegance while remaining intimately connected to nature.
The spatial layout is thoughtfully choreographed to promote a seamless flow, guiding guests through a series of experiences from intimate nooks to lively communal zones while preserving visual harmony and a strong sense of brand identity.
Materials, Palette & Aesthetic
The material language of the space embraces a sophisticated, earth-toned palette that reflects the natural beauty of the coastal setting. Soft beige stone surfaces, sun-washed mauves, muted olive accents, and rich wood textures come together to create a warm, grounded atmosphere that feels both timeless and tactile.
Texture & Nature-Inspired Detailing
Texture serves as a key design element, bringing depth and dimension to the space. Luxurious velvet seating, organic textiles, and artisanal accessories are thoughtfully layered against sleek architectural surfaces, creating a harmonious contrast. The integration of dried floral compositions and living greenery gently anchors the interior in its natural coastal context.
Playa del Paraíso transcends visual aesthetics, offering an immersive experience that weaves together materiality, light, and atmosphere. Situated along Dubai’s serene coastline, the space creates a sanctuary where guests can unwind, engage, and savor moments in a setting where design is as unforgettable as the cuisine.
Welcome to Arch interiors magazine, where design meets inspiration and innovation shapes the spaces we live, work, and dream in. This magazine is a curated journey through the ever-evolving worlds of architecture and interior design, spotlighting groundbreaking projects, timeless aesthetics, and the creative minds behind them.
In every issue, we delve into the artistry and functionality of structures and interiors—from bold architectural marvels and sustainable urban planning to intimate home makeovers and cutting-edge design trends. Whether you are a seasoned architect, an interior designer, a student, or simply a lover of beautiful spaces, Arch interiors magazine invites you to explore the stories behind the spaces that define our world.
Be the Face of Innovation, Get Featured on Our Magazine Cover!
Dear. Architect & interior designer,
We’re excited to invite you to be part of something special.
Each month, our magazine celebrates architecture & interiors excellence by featuring one outstanding designer or company on the front cover, someone whose work is shaping the future and inspiring others in the field.
We believe your achievements and insights would make a powerful impact on our readers, and we’d love to showcase your story.
As a featured designer, you will:
Be on the cover of our upcoming online & printed issue
Receive a full-length feature interview
Share your journey, innovations, and vision with thousands of readers in UAE & GCC
Join a growing network of industry leaders and change makers
The creativity that we see in the Architect & interior designer Medy is not but harmonious with the classical visage, it’s intricately unique and carries contemporary feels. The designer has left a magical influence on the widespread of designs exhibited in several cities of the Emirates and the world. As did the company Idea Art through it’s innovative projects with the distinctive brush of the interior designer Darine Jabeili. Studia 54 has excelled in its ingenious designs, creating exquisite and precise architectural masterpieces. It has expertly entered the world of modernity with its sophisticated style, offering exquisitely beautiful designs and creating a world of fascinating ideas. United network Studio’s has left its expressive mark on architecture and interior design, using a distinctive style to portray its visions and projects in a fantasy canvas that is not devoid of unique artistic wonder. For fifteen consecutive years, Arch Interiors magazine has shared with its readers the most beautiful creations of architects and interior designers, while simultaneously publishing the latest excerpts and news on everything new and distinctive in the world of architecture and interior design. The magazine has entered global markets through its participation in Arab and international exhibitions. …and distributing more than 100,000 E. Copies every month to prominent figures in the UAE, across the GCC and around the world.
The Artistry of Architecture and Interior Innovation
In the ever-evolving design landscape of the Middle East, Medy Navani stands as a defining voice an architect and creative visionary known for infusing emotion, storytelling, and cultural nuance into contemporary interiors.
As the Founder and CEO of Design Haus Medy (DHM), a Dubai-based boutique architecture and interior design studio, Navani has built a portfolio that spans luxury residences, boutique hotels, experiential retail environments, and lifestyle-driven commercial spaces across the GCC, Europe, and West Africa.
Born in Germany and of Persian heritage, Navani’s design identity is informed by an eclectic fusion of East and West. After relocating to Dubai in 2006, he co-founded DHM with a vision to bring tailored, concept-driven design to a market eager for creative sophistication. Over the past decade and a half, the studio has completed over 230 projects, each reflecting Navani’s belief that design is not just about form it is about feeling.
“Spaces should speak, They should tell a story, provoke thought, and above all, serve the human experience.”
This ethos permeates DHM’s work, where refined materials, bold silhouettes, and artistic detailing are harmonized through functional planning and immersive atmosphere.
Navani’s aesthetic is defined by a “less is more” approach pared-back elegance that celebrates contrast, light, and spatial rhythm. Whether working with the rich tactility of marble or the warmth of natural wood, he emphasizes material honesty, ensuring that every surface contributes to a larger sensory narrative.
His projects often feature unexpected juxtapositions: raw textures against polished finishes, restrained geometry interrupted by sculptural forms, or traditional elements reimagined through a modern lens.
Dubai, in Navani’s view, is a “creative playground” a city open to experimentation and bold design ideas. This environment has allowed him to push boundaries while staying rooted in timeless design principles. His firm remains intentionally boutique, enabling hands-on involvement and the kind of client relationships that transform projects into collaborative journeys.
Beyond his built work, Navani is also a passionate mentor and advocate for the next generation of creatives. His 2019 partnership with Canadian University Dubai is part of a broader commitment to education and knowledge exchange, supporting students as they transition from academia to the professional world.
With an ever-expanding global footprint and a commitment to meaningful, material-rich design, Medy Navani continues to shape interiors that are not only beautiful, but deeply personal and purpose-driven testaments to the idea that great architecture begins not with a sketch, but with a story.
