Attributed by May Jbara, Founder & Creative Director, May Jbara Design Studio

In a design landscape often driven by aesthetics, Lebanese architect and bespoke designer May Jbara is shaping a more introspective direction, one where spaces are not simply created, but understood.

As the Founder and Creative Director of May Jbara Design Studio, Jbara has developed an approach that moves beyond visual composition into something more nuanced: a dialogue between space, emotion, and human behavior. Her work is grounded in a belief that design is not an external layer, but an internal reflection of identity, memory, and the way people truly live.

“At the core, I don’t see a project as a space to be designed,” Jbara explains. “I see it as something to be read, understood, and then translated. Every space is equal to a soul. My role is to reveal it, not impose it.”

This philosophy has positioned her as a distinctive voice within the region’s design scene. Her process begins long before plans or materials are discussed through observation, conversation, and an in-depth understanding of her clients’ lifestyles, emotional patterns, and aspirations. What follows is a carefully calibrated design language, where architecture, interiors, and atmosphere are conceived as one continuous narrative.

Her work is often described as minimalist, yet it resists reduction. Instead, it is defined by precision and an exacting attention to proportion, materiality, and the subtle interplay of elements that shape how a space is experienced.

“There is a psychological dimension to every space,” she notes. “How it flows, how it feels, how it responds to you. Design, for me, is about creating that alignment, where the space and the person exist in harmony.”

Since establishing her studio in 2015, Jbara has built a portfolio spanning high-end residential projects across Lebanon and the region, with an expanding international presence that includes work in Saudi Arabia and Côte d’Ivoire. Alongside this, she operates within the highly specialized field of luxury yacht interiors; an area that demands both technical precision and a deep understanding of spatial efficiency, placing her among a rare group of designers in the Middle East working at this level.

Her work has garnered increasing international recognition with the Luxury Lifestyle Award for Best Interior Designer in 2024.

As her practice continues to evolve, May Jbara is not merely expanding geographically, yet she is contributing to a broader shift in how interior design is perceived; one that moves away from surface-level expression, and towards a more thoughtful, human-centered discipline.

In her world, space is never just a composition of elements. It is a presence that, when understood correctly, has the ability to resonate far beyond its physical form.

MAAIA, a boutique luxury developer in Dubai, has confirmed that construction across its two active residential developments, La Clé in Al Furjan and La Vue in Nad Al Sheba Gardens, is advancing at full pace, with both projects firmly on track for the scheduled Q2 2027 handover.

Despite a complex global environment, MAAIA’s on-site teams continue to maintain strong construction momentum, with each project recording meaningful structural and finishing milestones.

Construction at La Clé continues to scale upward rapidly. The building’s main structural framework is now 70% complete, and roof preparations are actively underway. Inside the development, interior finishing is moving at a swift pace. Masonry work has reached the fourth floor, essential electrical and plumbing installations are progressing on the third floor, and early plastering and painting stages have already commenced on the lower levels.

Similarly, La Vue’s construction is advancing with strong momentum, having recently achieved key foundational milestones. All major structural work between the ground floor and the first podium level is now 100% complete, including the main supports and vehicle ramps. The on-site team is currently finalizing the steel reinforcements for the first podium level in preparation for its upcoming concrete pour.

Commenting on the progress, Mohammed Imran, Founder & Chairman of MAAIA, stated, “Amid an evolving geopolitical landscape, what we are seeing is a clear distinction between short-term sentiment and long-term market fundamentals. The UAE continues to stand out as a stable, well-regulated, and resilient environment, which is why investor confidence remains steady and transactions and enquiries continue. “At MAAIA, our focus remains firmly on execution. Construction across La Clé and La Vue is progressing at full pace, and we remain committed to delivering on our timelines with the quality and precision our stakeholders expect. The current environment reinforces a broader shift towards serious, long-term investment, and we are proud to be contributing to that landscape by developing homes that combine lasting value with thoughtfully curated living experiences.”

Offering apartment living within the serene villa community of Nad Al Sheba Gardens, La Vue provides a peaceful lifestyle surrounded by lush parks and inviting community spaces. Inspired by the elegance of the French Riviera, these 46 thoughtfully designed residences blend contemporary architecture with natural harmony to deliver sophisticated, functional homes.

Despite this tranquil setting, residents enjoy seamless access to fine dining, leading schools, wellness destinations, and golfing at The Track. This holistic, family-friendly lifestyle is further enriched by premium on-site amenities, including a rooftop pool, padel court, fitness and wellness facilities, a zen garden, a business center, and dedicated children’s areas.

With handover scheduled for Q2 2027, La Clé and La Vue represent MAAIA’s continued commitment to delivering design-forward residential developments to the highest standard on time and without compromise.

Combining football, fashion, and global culture, reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and BEYOND Developments presented an exclusive event in the presence of Marco Verratti, one of the French club’s most decorated midfielders, to celebrate a landmark partnership rooted in culture, design, and a shared ambition to connect people across the world.

The event brought together a select mix of creatives, media, and cultural voices to discover the Paris Saint-Germain 2026–27 home kit and recognise a setting where global moments resonate naturally.

Earlier this year, BEYOND Developments was announced as the Club’s Official Premium Sleeve Partner until 2029, marking the beginning of a long-term collaboration between two globally relevant brands. The partnership is captured through “Two Cities. One Soul,” reflecting a shared mindset between Paris and Dubai, defined by ambition, creativity, and cultural relevance; two cities that continue to shape how the world experiences sport, design, and modern living.

Held at BEYOND’s Sales Gallery in Dubai Maritime City, the experience brought the partnership and kit to life through storytelling, design, and atmosphere. The presence of Verratti created a powerful bridge between the Club’s legacy and its global audience. Guests, as well as engaging directly with Verratti, had the chance to explore how football identity extends beyond the pitch.

During the event, guests had the opportunity to discover the new shirt, which debuted on Sunday during PSG’s win over Brest. A royal blue shirt, featuring a wide red-and-white central stripe, the new kit is a true tribute to the Club’s supporters, past and present, and will be worn with pride inside the Parc des Princes next season.

“Paris Saint-Germain will always be part of who I am, no matter where my career takes me,” said Verratti, the Italian midfielder who played 11 seasons for PSG between 2012 and 2023 and helped the club reach its first European Cup final in 2020. “To see the club celebrated here in Dubai, through a partnership that reflects everything PSG stands for – ambition, beauty, community, emotions – is something I’m proud to be part of.”

Richard Heaselgrave, Chief Revenue Officer at Paris Saint-Germain, added: “Football culture today is more global and interconnected than ever, bridging communities and defining how people connect with each other. With BEYOND as our Official Premium Sleeve Partner, the partnership reflects that, creating moments such as this that bring those worlds together in meaningful, beautiful ways. Football belongs everywhere people dare to dream and here in Dubai, that conviction is on full display.”

“Football is more than a sport. In every part of the world, it is emotion, identity, and connection, in many ways, it has become a universal language that brings people together,” said Adil Taqi, CEO of BEYOND Developments. “That universal sense of connection strongly aligns with what we believe in at BEYOND. As a brand born in Dubai, we are inspired by the vision and leadership of a city that has shown the world what ambition, openness, and belief in the future can achieve. Our partnership with Paris Saint-Germain reflects these values as well as the ability to bring people together through experiences that create a genuine sense of belonging.”

With a global fanbase exceeding 500 million, Paris Saint-Germain continue to expand their presence beyond football, engaging audiences through cultural, lifestyle, and live experiences. Together, BEYOND Developments and Paris Saint-Germain are demonstrating that the most powerful partnerships are built not on visibility alone, but on a shared belief that the places we inhabit and the moments we experience should move us. That conviction is what drives this collaboration forward.