Expanding Horizons

When Meshary AlNassar began considering a move for his studio, Alserkal Avenue was always at the back of his mind. “There’s a certain energy to it that felt aligned with how I wanted the studio to evolve. But also, I used to be a frequent visitor when I was a design student based here in Dubai. Alserkal was my outlet to meet people and get to see new works of art and references,” shares the designer. The moving of his studio is a reflection in the shift of its work – from residential interiors into a more expanded architectural and commercial direction. “It felt like the right moment to place the studio in a context that reflects that growth,” shares AlNassar.  “Somewhere more public and more engaged with the design and art community. It wasn’t just about relocating, it was about repositioning. Being in Alserkal allows the studio to be part of a larger conversation, rather than operating in isolation.”

In the same spirit of dialogue, a few months ago, AlNassar opened his studio to the public at Alserkal; only this time with an additional gallery space downstairs with the workspace stationed upstairs. The gallery is conceived not as a conventional retail space, but as an evolving spatial narrative where collectible pieces, furniture, and objects are presented with the same level of intention and storytelling found in the studio’s architectural and interior work. Located on the ground floor and open to the public, it invites visitors to discover distinctive and thoughtfully curated design finds. “As designers, we’re constantly sourcing, referencing, and collecting, but those pieces rarely get a life outside of the spaces we design. The gallery became a way to give those objects a platform of their own, and for visitors to experience what we are able to create without being a client of ours,” says AlNassar. When asked what lens he uses to curate the pieces, he says, “The curatorial lens is quite instinctive. It’s less about trends and more about emotional resonance, material honesty, craftsmanship, and how an object sits within a space.”

Upstairs on the first floor, the studio overlooks an internal courtyard defined by skylights and an abundance of natural light. This setting creates a quiet, immersive atmosphere, one that feels distinctly removed from the surrounding industrial fabric of the neighborhood. 

Along with the shift of the studio to Alserkal, arrived a change in brand identity. This has been reflected throughout the space in subtle touches that are uncovered layer by layer. AlNassar worked with several partners to achieve this. He partnered with Delta light on the lighting and worked with Bauwerk lime wash which is the main finish of the entire interior space. “We used a color called ‘House’ which seems very fitting.” Shared AlNassar. For the exterior façade, AlNassar and his team worked with SLO ceramics that custom-made navy-blue tiles with the studio’s monogram. “There are so many details and collabs that really helped shape the space, we are so grateful for our supplier friends that really showed up. But my favorite would be the wallpaper in our powder room, by Material Library, an incredible supplier here in Dubai, it’s my favourite!” he says.

A cheeky dog bar is a crowd favourite – something thoughtful and much needed within the arts and culture community that is pet-friendly. “It came from something very personal, my own relationship with my dog, and how naturally he becomes part of any space I occupy,” shares AlNassar. “But also, we wanted the studio and gallery to feel welcoming, not just for people, but for the way people actually live. In Dubai, a lot of spaces still overlook that. The dog bar adds a sense of warmth and informality. It softens the experience.”

Together, the two levels of the space operate in quiet dialogue. The studio remains appointment-based, maintaining a degree of privacy, while the gallery below stays open as an accessible, evolving platform. Between them, the practice finds a new rhythm: one that moves between making and sharing, between working and inviting, and increasingly, between the studio and the community.