Design Philosophy & Residential Identity

Exclusive interview with Eddy Nemri, Vice President, Object 1

Your journey spans architecture, entrepreneurship, and real estate leadership. Looking back, what has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned about creating homes that are not only visually appealing but also enhance everyday living?

The biggest lesson I have learned is that a building can be an art piece without becoming difficult to live in. At Object 1, we see the UAE as an open-air gallery, where every development adds something to the character of the city. But beauty alone is not enough. A home has to work naturally around the people inside it.

My background in architecture taught me to notice how light enters a room and how someone moves through a space. Real estate taught me to look beyond the drawing and consider daily routines. The best homes feel distinctive when you first see them, then comfortable and intuitive once you begin living there. That balance is what gives design lasting value.

With your background in architecture and design, how has your understanding of how people interact with spaces influenced the way you approach residential developments at Object 1?

My understanding of space begins with observation. People rarely experience a home as a finished composition. They experience it while entering with shopping bags, moving between rooms, working near a window or looking for a quiet corner at the end of the day. At Object 1, this shapes how I review a residential plan. I pay attention to circulation, furniture placement, storage, privacy and the transition from the apartment into shared areas. A beautiful lobby matters, but so does the feeling of arriving home. Amenities should sit naturally within a resident’s routine rather than feel added for display. Architecture becomes meaningful when it understands behaviour and gives people room to live in their own way.

RA1N Residence marks Object 1’s first completed residential project and the successful handover of homes. Beyond achieving this milestone, what does this completion represent for the company’s design philosophy and commitment to homeowners?

RA1N Residence represents a promise fulfilled to the people who placed their trust in Object 1. Purchasing a home before completion requires confidence in the developer’s ability to deliver the design and quality presented at the beginning. With RA1N, residents can now see those commitments reflected in the completed apartments and communal spaces. The handover also allows us to understand how our design decisions perform in daily life, from the entrances and layouts to the co-working, fitness and family areas. This experience helps us see what works well and where we can improve. It also reinforces that our responsibility does not end when construction finishes. Each completed project should strengthen our accountability and make us more precise in the homes we create.

The development brings together co-working spaces, wellness amenities, family facilities, and social areas under one roof. How important has it become to design communities that support different aspects of modern lifestyles rather than simply providing residential units?

Designing a complete living environment has become closely tied to the long-term value of a development. People are more likely to stay in a community when the building can continue to support them as their routines and lifestyles change. Investors are also thinking about whether a property will remain attractive to future tenants. That is why we see shared facilities as an important part of the residential experience. At RA1N Residence, residents have spaces to work, exercise, spend time with their children and meet their neighbours. This also reflects the UAE’s 2025 Year of Community, which focused on stronger social connections, as well as the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan’s emphasis on liveable, well-connected neighbourhoods.

Many homeowners appreciate a space as a whole but may not notice the countless design decisions behind it. Is there a particular detail within RA1N Residence, whether in the layouts, material selection, or communal spaces, that you’re especially proud of because of the impact it has on everyday living?

We are especially proud of the apartment layouts because they have such a direct impact on everyday comfort. At RA1N Residence, we focused on bright, efficient spaces with clear zoning, so each area has a purpose without making the home feel rigid. Kitchens were planned around practical storage and easy movement, while living areas remain open enough for dining, relaxing or working from home. We also paid close attention to wardrobes and concealed storage to reduce clutter and make the spaces easier to live in. Alongside this, we selected contemporary European finishes for durability as much as appearance. For us, good residential design is when all these decisions work quietly together and the homeowner simply feels that the space makes sense.

As urban lifestyles continue to evolve, flexibility has become a defining feature of residential design. Were there any specific design decisions within RA1N Residence that were made with adaptability and future living trends in mind?

For us, adaptability also starts with where a project is located. RA1N Residence is in JVC, which already gives residents access to established schools, parks, retail and everyday services, while connecting easily to Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. That was important because people increasingly want to spend less time travelling between different parts of their lives. We also look at how an area is likely to develop over time. JVC continues to benefit from wider infrastructure investment, and Dubai’s approved Gold Line is planned to serve the community in the future. So future living is not only about flexible interiors. It is also about choosing a location that can become more connected and convenient over time.