Exclusive interview with Michaela Ferrari, Italian architect and designer, Miki Ferrari

As an architect and founder, how do you define your role today, are you primarily a creative director, a business strategist, or a custodian of craftsmanship?

My main role is that of Creative Director for the brand, ensuring that our products are designed to be ultra-stylish and supremely comfortable. I am lucky to have a team that supports me on all other aspects of our business, including operations, production, marketing and sales. This gives me the freedom to focus on design, and the comfort to know my designs will be beautifully brought to life, and efficiently delivered to the customers.

Your philosophy speaks about “thinking with the heart” and often reference fashion as an inspiration. In a highly technical industry, how do you protect emotion within structure? And How does couture thinking translate into sofa design?

The beauty of what we do, is that the free flow of creativity is complimented by the institutional structure, not constrained by it. Design for the sake of design is ego – instead, we think with the heart, and we create with the hand.  I think of the heart as the source of creativity, and the hand as the source of structure, and the two compliment each other. Like couture fashion, our sofas are proportioned, structured, with elevated materials and intentional detailing. The pieces are structured and supportive, a sculptural statement as refined on the inside as the outside – tailored and precise, much like a hand-crafted gown. 

Architecture trains you to think about space; furniture requires intimacy with the human body. How did you transition between those two scales?

One way to think of it, is to see the human body as an architectural form, and the products we produce are designed to support and embrace the human form, at both a physical and emotional level. The principles of design are similar; in architecture you create spaces for the body to move in and experience, whereas furniture, you design for rest, for intimate connection between the body and object. I consider furniture more personal in the sense that it is about physical points of contact, and how shapes, texture, proportion and subtle detailing can envelope one in such comfort, making them feel entirely at ease.

Middle Eastern interiors often embrace bold statements and layered textures. How does your design language adapt to this cultural context?

Our designs are recognized for their simple beauty and comfort, and the layering comes not from a mix of colors, rather from the variety of textures in our fabrics, so although our fabrics are mostly solid colors, the different textures add a layer of beauty to the product. It enhances one’s tactile experience and ensures that beauty is not only seen, it is felt. The natural lines and simplicity of our furniture aligns with all contemporary styles whether vibrant or muted, and we look forward to sharing our know-how and craftsmanship with a discerning Middle Eastern clientele.

• The Ambrè sofa form feels organic and enveloping, what was the conceptual starting point behind its silhouette?

Ambrè’s natural curved lines and soft fabric invite you to relax into it, the design follows a continuous, organic line that wraps around the sitter. It is a good representation of my design thinking, in creating sofas that embrace the human form. We don’t design sofas to fit a space, we design sofas to fit the human form and to enhance the human experience.

Your collections emphasize goose feathers, premium leathers, selected woods, and composite materials. How do you decide when tradition leads, and when innovation takes over?

We are Italian, so tradition always leads, in everything we do.  The ‘Made in Italy’ stamp is important to me in my craft, and even when we are being innovative, the starting point is always our tradition of craftsmanship and our reverence for design. Innovation then becomes the way we can leverage these traditions to create products that are always authentic, always human-centric and always beautiful. With great attention to detail, we push forward with modernism but always remain true to the legacy of Italian design elegance, quality and functional aesthetics.

The launch in the UAE signals a new international chapter. What does this expansion represent personally for you?

We are very proud of what we represent, and the worldwide respect for ‘Made in Italy’ as a global mark of quality and authenticity; for us to be ambassadors and share the philosophy behind this concept means a great deal to us. We are proud to join a long list of brands that have redefined the way the world views creativity and luxury in design, and have stood to develop global standards for quality and craftsmanship.

Tissoli, the luxury real estate collective renowned for crafting world-class living environments, has announced three major milestones for its AED 1.2 billion flagship development, Palazzo Tissoli. Following the rapid 100% sell-out of Phase 1, Tissoli has officially opened sales for Phase 2 and appointed GRID Properties as its Strategic Development Manager, reinforcing its commitment to delivering an architectural landmark of international calibre.

Palazzo Tissoli, the first residential development in Ras Al Khaimah to be designed by the iconic Italian design house Pininfarina, has quickly established itself as one of the most coveted addresses in the Northern Emirates. The rapid sell-out of Phase 1 underscores the massive demand for branded, high-design residences on Al Marjan Island’s prime waterfront.

Ensuring the project’s execution lives up to its ambitious vision, GRID has been appointed to oversee the delivery of Palazzo Tissoli with a focused and shared dedication to detail and quality as envisaged by Tissoli. Founded in 2019, GRID has rapidly grown into a powerhouse in the sector, with a portfolio exceeding $2.2 billion across 6.8 million square feet in the UAE and UK. Known for their philosophy of blending functionality with purpose, GRID’s appointment guarantees that the intricate Pininfarina design is translated seamlessly into reality, with a targeted completion by Q2 2028.

Pooja Rathore, COO of Tissoli, commented,“As we enter the execution phase and launch Phase 2, we’ve partnered with GRID, whose proven track record aligns perfectly with our commitment to excellence. The response from investors confirms that residents are seeking curated, meaningful living experiences. This collaboration is strategically planned to ensure Pininfarina’s ‘Italian DNA’ and Tissoli’s promise to create an elevated residential masterpiece is perfectly delivered from concept to completion. With GRID’s expertise in ideation, efficient and timely delivery, we are confident that this partnership will support us strategically in bringing this masterpiece to life.”

To accommodate the high demand from global buyers seeking an Italian-crafted lifestyle, Phase 2 offers a limited collection of fully furnished studios, and one- bedroom apartments featuring sweeping sea views and signature Pininfarina interiors. GRID views this partnership as a testament to their growing influence in the luxury sector.

Shreen R Gupta, Founder & CEO stated: “At GRID, we view ourselves as builders of legacies. Our philosophy is rooted in creating spaces where functionality and purpose merge to enhance the lives of residents. We are honored to be appointed as the Development Manager for Palazzo Tissoli. To work alongside Tissoli and a design legend like Pininfarina is a privilege, and we are committed to applying our expertise to ensure this project becomes a reality and is delivered in line with the vision set out by Tissoli and that sets a new benchmark for quality in Ras Al Khaimah.”

The project draws inspiration from the natural mosaic of Ras Al Khaimah’s dunes and sea, requiring a high level of technical expertise to execute Pininfarina’s signature aesthetic. Palazzo Tissoli features resort-style amenities including the Serenity Spa, Vitality Studio, a 24-hour Café, the sunset-facing Skyline Lounge, and the signature Casa del Sigaro. With Phase 1 sold out and Phase 2 now launched, the project is firmly on track to redefine the skyline of the emirate.

NKEY Architects, an international full-cycle architecture and design company, behind more than 500 residential and commercial projects across over 45 countries, has announced the relocation of its global headquarters to Dubai, marking a significant milestone in the firm’s next phase of growth. The move reflects the company’s expanding footprint across international markets and reinforces the UAE’s role as a strategic hub for global design, development, and innovation, at a time when the global architecture services market is projected to exceed $605 billion by 2033.

Founded in 2018, NKEY Architects provides architecture, interior design, and turnkey solutions across residential and commercial sectors. The company operates from offices in Dubai, the United States, Canada, and Ukraine, with projects spanning more than 45 countries.

The decision to establish Dubai as the company’s global headquarters follows sustained growth in the Middle East, which now accounts for approximately 80% of NKEY’s active client portfolio. Since 2022, the company has strategically shifted its development focus toward international markets, beginning with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman, before expanding into the United States with projects delivered in Beverly Hills and Miami. This accelerated geographic growth, combined with more than 500 active projects globally, including over 300 in the UAE, underscored the need for a centralized headquarters capable of managing an increasingly complex, cross-border portfolio.

“For NKEY, architecture is a language through which people can gain a deeper understanding of themselves. Our philosophy, ‘NKEY. Unlock your inner self,’ reflects our mission to help clients — from families to progressive, forward-thinking young people — release internal limitations and unlock their personal and life potential through space. At NKEY, space is seen as an extension of identity — a dialogue between a person’s inner state and the external environment. Each project becomes a tool for transformation, where architecture and design support the lifestyle, values, and aspirations of young people, creating environments that foster growth, freedom, and a sense of authenticity. Importantly, we create unique projects or design solutions – every space is created uniquely to reflect the individual client,” said Natalia Melnyk, Founder of NKEY Architects.

The firm’s portfolio is centered on premium and ultra-luxury residential projects, large residential communities, and apartments, alongside select commercial developments across retail, hospitality, business centres, and mixed-use concepts. One of NKEY’s most ambitious current projects is the development of a large-scale shopping mall in Marrakech, Morocco, conceived as a landmark retail destination and involving parallel work across architecture, interiors, branding, and marketing strategy.

NKEY’s management structure is led by three partners, all members of the same family, reflecting the stability and long-term vision of a family-run business. Natalia Melnyk leads creative direction and brand development; Olexander Melnyk oversees operations, sales, and financial strategy; and Sergii Zholob manages engineering, architecture, procurement, and construction teams across international offices. This family-led structure enables NKEY Architects to maintain consistent standards while confidently expanding across regions.

With a growing team of over 100 professionals, NKEY Architects’ relocation to Dubai positions the firm at the centre of one of the world’s most dynamic real estate and design markets, aligned with the UAE’s long-term vision for sustainable growth.