The Art of the Outdoors

At Bab Al Shams, the horizon stretches endlessly through a canvas of warm sand and soft wind, and time seems to slow. Amidst this poetic vastness, the sculptural silhouette of Edra’s Standard Outdoor sofa takes form, bringing life to a balmy October afternoon and redefining what it means to live beautifully in the outdoors. The setting is just an example of how Casamia brings the dialogue between nature, design and emotion to life through its brands – a seamless union of Italian artistry and Middle Eastern sensibility.

“When I first set my eyes on Edra’s Standard Outdoor sofa, I remember being struck not just by its design, but by its attitude,” says Mohib Mithani, Co-Founder of Casamia. Whether surrounded by the raw texture of the arches and architecture and the infinite open sky, settled into a courtyard or under a ghaf tree – the sofa becomes a sculptural gesture that represents a conversation between craftsmanship and landscape. “It doesn’t try to fit into a space, it defines it. Design isn’t about what fills a room, it’s about what moves you when you enter it,” he says. “Seeing the vision of the Edra Standard Outdoor at Bab Al Shams come to life, surrounded by open sky and desert textures, was a reminder of how design can belong as naturally to nature as it does to architecture.” The striking, nature-inspired green pop of colour called ‘musk’ adds a sense of warmth and personality to the spaces.

Across the Middle East, the outdoors was never really a transitional zone. From traditional courtyards and majlis gatherings to terraces and beachfronts, outdoor living is becoming a reflection both of cultural heritage and contemporary expression. “In our region, outdoor living is more than a lifestyle trend; it’s a cultural rediscovery. For generations, life here revolved around courtyards and majlis gatherings, and now, as the city has modernised, design is bringing that connection back, but in a new language. 

The collaboration with Edra speaks to that shared pursuit of comfort and meaning,” shares Mithani. Casamia’s role in this rediscovery seems to be one of translation that brings global design excellence into the fabric of Middle Eastern living. With curations that emphasise craftsmanship, materiality and emotion, the brand is shaping how the region experiences connection through space. Collaborations with a brand such as Edra are testament to that vision: meaningful partnerships where innovation and art converge to redefine comfort.

Designed by Francesco Binfaré for Edra, the Standard Outdoor embodies a philosophy of intuitive comfort. Originally conceived as an indoors sofa, the outdoor rendition doesn’t sacrifice any of the comfort. Its defining feature is a ‘Smart Cushion’ that transforms an otherwise traditional looking seating into a fluid form of expression. With a flick of the hand, the backrests and armrests adjust and adapt to the posture: low, high, oblique, enveloping and functional. It’s a piece that evolves with its user, merging technology with tactility. The deep, generous seats invite relaxation while the materials, designed for endurance, carry the soft warmth of touch – a balance between softness and strength. It allows total freedom to combine seats of different shapes and depths to customise the compositions: linear, angular or free plan. Its structure, made of welded metal, while the ABS and PTU feet ensure grip and prevent slipping. The sofa also features a removable cover designed for prolonged outdoor use.

Throughout the shoot at Bab Al Shams, we were lucky enough to play with its different configurations to showcase the modularity of the sofa. From the courtyards to under the ghaf tree, the sofa seemed to find its place as so many tend to do in Dubai. Its various modularities and comfortable form created an inviting atmosphere, adding an oasis-like feel to the outdoor spaces of the resort. “Material innovation, sustainable fabrication and modular systems are driving a new kind of creativity,” shares Mithani. “With brands like Edra, the emphasis is on sensory design with textures that age beautifully, materials that breathe, and forms that shift with light. At Casamia, our role is to curate this evolution thoughtfully, ensuring that the emotional intelligence of design remains intact, even in open air.”

Outdoor design, once defined by endurance, is now led by emotion. The evolution of materials, modular systems and sustainable fabrication has transformed terraces, courtyards and beachfronts into living expressions of identity and curates a communal feel. As underlined by Fathy (1986) in a study, “the courtyard, especially in Arab culture, is something more than an architectural solution intended to ensure privacy. It is a part of the microcosm that illustrates the order of the universe. In Arab architecture, the urban courtyard has many functions. It serves a social, environmental and aesthetic purpose.” 

“People no longer seek spaces that merely withstand the elements, they want ones that stir something within them. The outdoors has become a stage for these emotions, whether at a private residence or a resort in the open desert.”

“At Casamia, every curation begins with a feeling,” says Mithani. “What will a space make someone feel? The Edra Standard Outdoor embodies that feeling. It doesn’t simply ask you to sit, it invites you to linger.” This sensorial approach echoes across Casamia’s portfolio – a thoughtful balance of innovation and intimacy. Through collaborations with brands like Edra, Casamia continues to bring global craftsmanship into dialogue with the region’s natural and cultural rhythms, crafting spaces where emotion and environment coexist. 

“People no longer seek spaces that merely withstand the elements, they want ones that stir something within them,” notes Mithani. “The outdoors has become a stage for these emotions, whether at a private residence or a resort in the open desert.” As the boundaries between indoors and outdoors dissolve, these spaces are becoming stages for shared experience – places in which to gather, reflect and reconnect.

Photography – Mark Mathew