The Markup #16

Inside this Month’s Conversations

Author

Alan George
June 02, 2026

🎙️For everyone new here—welcome to The Markup!🎙️

The Markup is a monthly touchpoint for designers, architects, and creatives across the MENA region curating the projects, headlines, events, and conversations actually worth knowing. Alongside industry updates, we share highlights from our latest podcast episodes and spotlight trusted suppliers helping bring great ideas to life. At its core, The Markup is about keeping the regional design community connected, inspired, and in sync without the noise.

This month, CUD’s SAID hosted its “Designing Futures” graduation exhibition at d3, showcasing emerging architects and interior designers. Also, Studio Twentyone06 turns 8 this month, and we’re so glad to mark it. Keep scrolling for more key stories!

Highlighting Omar Farooq, Strategy Director and Partner at SAY Studio, bridging strategy, law, and design to align architecture with commercial and development intent.

Featuring Sotiris Tsoulos, co-founding TTZ Group, shaping context-driven master planning and urban regeneration across the MENA region through culturally responsive, design-led strategy.

Jazeera Paints brings spaces to life with an inspiring collection of premium paints and innovative coating solutions, blending bold design, rich color palettes, and high-performance technology.

Crafted for residential, commercial, and hospitality projects, their range includes decorative paints, protective coatings, and specialty finishes designed to withstand the region’s climate while elevating every surface with elegance and character. With Jazeera Paints, designers and clients can create standout environments that feel modern, sophisticated, and built to last.

Click here to connect with the team!

// Dubai Holding deepens its bet on Emaar — becoming the developer’s largest shareholder.

// Al Habtoor Tower, Dubai — supertall living engineered at megaproject speed.

// Islamic minimalism shaped through light, stone, and stillness.

// Yasmeen Lari — a quieter, more resilient vision for architecture.

Need an office playlist? Or do you need to plug-in and disconnect from the studio? We got you! We have put together hours of a an eclectic mix of down-tempo, ethereal & dance music tracks designed in keep you in a state-of-flo! Crafted for those deep design dives & studio vibes!

If this newsletter adds value to you, please share it with like-minded designers.

#StayInspired