From scented boyfriend sweaters to cocktails that cross continents, Murali, Co-founder of Jockamo Barnes, is turning Dubai’s cultural quirks and everyday observations into unexpected creative experiences.

In an industry where every brand wants to be culturally relevant, Murali, Co-founder of innovation studio Jockamo Barnes, is challenging the very idea of what that means. “Culture is one of the most abused words today, especially in marketing and advertising. Every agency claims it. Every brand sees it as a shortcut to relevance. But few truly understand what it means to be a part of it.”

For Murali, the answer lies in creating rather than chasing culture. At Jockamo Barnes, that translates into unconventional objects, brands and experiences rooted in human behaviour, often inspired by the contradictions of life in the UAE. ““Every project starts with a tension: two things that shouldn’t necessarily work together, but somehow do. The UAE produces them faster than anywhere I’ve lived,” he explains.

Take Boomerang, a playful inversion of hospitality inspired by a New Orleans cocktail tradition. Instead of visiting bars to be served, Murali travels with a drink to gift bartenders around the world, creating an unexpected connection between cocktail communities across continents.

Then there’s Pre-Worn Boyfriend Sweater, a tongue-in-cheek take on Dubai’s dating culture, built around the observation that “the best part of situationships are the clothes you steal; the worst part is the man.” Created with fragrance studio Oo La Lab Dubai, the scented sweaters capture three familiar dating archetypes: the Entrepreneur, the Gym Rat and the Desert Philosopher. Beyond the humour, the project explores how scent and touch can evoke memories in ways traditional advertising cannot.

A more poignant expression of this thinking is Bitter Meat, created with Aidan Frederick. Described as a love letter to the UAE’s expat experience, the project challenges the familiar narrative of Dubai as a temporary stopover. Its message, “for those who chose here,” speaks to residents who have made the country home by choice. “Reverence without romanticism. We love this place too much to put it on a postcard,” says Murali.

This creative philosophy also shapes the studio’s collaborations. The Away Kit, developed with Super Cellar for the 2026 World Cup, features more than 17 editorial posters pairing nations with culturally inspired cocktails. The insight is distinctly local: Dubai experiences the tournament as a city of away fans, where people passionately support countries they no longer live in.

For Murali, partnerships like these are about shared authorship rather than conventional sponsorship. “Super Cellar started as a client and became a co-author. That’s the model we want: invite a brand into something already in motion instead of shopping them a finished idea.”

Ultimately, Jockamo Barnes is interested in ideas that live beyond the fleeting attention of a campaign. “Advertising asks for attention. People watch it, skim past it. But it’s ignorable and avoidable. Objects earn a place in someone’s life. We’re more interested in the second.”

And perhaps that’s the studio’s most compelling proposition: culture isn’t something brands need to borrow relevance from. It’s something they can meaningfully contribute to.

AHS Properties is set to launch AHS Twin Towers, its new commercial development on Sheikh Zayed Road, following the AED 1.1 billion acquisition of Shangri-La Dubai. The property will undergo a major transformation into a Grade A commercial destination.

Positioned on one of Dubai’s most prominent commercial corridors, AHS Twin Towers will introduce a new architectural identity for the property. The project has been designed by Gensler, an internationally recognised architecture and design firm, with interiors by AHS Atelier, the company’s in-house design studio, bringing a bespoke approach to materiality, detailing and craftsmanship throughout the development.

AHS Twin Towers will comprise ground floor plus 50. The development will offer flexible Grade A office environments supported by an integrated mix of business, wellness and lifestyle amenities. More than 30,000 sq. ft. will be dedicated to wellness and fitness, alongside over 12,000 sq. ft. of culinary experiences and more than 1,000 parking spaces. The wider offering will include an elevated dining destination, a private wellness sanctuary with a dedicated lap pool, executive business lounges and a landscaped rooftop sky garden.

Abbas Sajwani, Founder and CEO of AHS Properties, said: “AHS Twin Towers represents our next major step in Dubai’s commercial real estate market. Businesses in Dubai are expecting more from prime commercial real estate than ever before. Location will always remain fundamental, but today there is a much greater focus on design, amenities and the overall experience a building can offer. By transforming Shangri-La Dubai into AHS Twin Towers, we are bringing these elements together at one of Sheikh Zayed Road’s most established addresses. Our aim is to create a workplace that reflects how companies and their teams want to work today, and to set a new standard for the commercial assets Dubai’s next phase of growth will demand.”

AHS Twin Towers builds on the track record of AHS Tower, the company’s first Grade A commercial development, which sold out for more than USD 700 million during development.

Object 1, an award-winning real estate developer, has recorded sales to buyers from more than 60 nationalities in 2026, split almost evenly across four continents. The company attributes this international demand to accessible entry prices and payment plans shaped around buyers’ needs, supported by direct engagement across overseas markets. Against Dubai’s AED 252 billion in Q1 real estate transactions, Object 1’s focus is on translating this demand into completed homes.

Tatiana Tonu, CEO of Object 1, said: “Buyers place their trust in a developer long before handover, and we have a responsibility to earn that through every stage of construction. What our buyer data tells us is that we’re getting the fundamentals right, not just in one market, but everywhere we show up. Buyers in the UK, France, India or UAE are all responding to the same thing: the right product, at the right price, backed by a payment plan that makes sense for their investment strategy. 2026 is our Year of Delivery, and a buyer base this broad and engaged is exactly the foundation we need.”

Object 1’s sales analysis for 1 May-3 August 2026 shows that Indian purchasers accounted for almost 20% of recorded deals, making them the largest buyer nationality. Europe, Africa and the wider Middle East/MENA region each accounted for approximately a fifth of transactions, reflecting demand across several markets. France, the UK, Germany and Spain led European demand, while Turkey ranked among the top five buyer nationalities, alongside steady interest from Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Emirati buyers also contributed to demand alongside international customers, reflecting the brand’s growing local credibility.

The company has also held roadshows across Africa to connect with new prospective purchasers and better understand their expectations, with buyers from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Egypt, Mozambique and Morocco purchasing its properties.

Object 1 attributes the spread of demand to a deliberate focus on an underserved segment of the market: well-located, well-designed apartments at accessible entry price points, paired with payment plans structured around what international buyers, many of them first-time Dubai investors, can realistically commit to. Entry pricing across Object 1’s current portfolio starts from the high AED 700,000s to below AED 1 million on select units, with flexible plans including post-handover options.

Demand is also evident in the developer’s recent launch, SKY LEVEL 1 in Jumeirah Village Circle, which is already close to selling out.  Scheduled for handover in Q2 2029, the tower brings 420 one-bedroom residences to District 11. The strong buyer response supports Object 1’s continued JVC portfolio development.

2026 has been as much about handovers as new launches for Object 1. Two of the company’s projects, RA1N Residence and V1TER Residence, received their Building Completion Certificates in the first half of the year, with several more now preparing for handover; a track record the company is building on as it continues development in Dubai and expands into Abu Dhabi.

As Object 1 continues to expand its portfolio, the developer remains committed to creating well-designed homes that meet the evolving needs of the UAE’s growing communities.