An Interview With… Husain Roomi, H2R Design

Our philosophy is centred around creating spaces that are both meaningful and functional — design that feels human. Especially in the Middle East, where there’s such a rich cultural blend and a rapidly evolving landscape, we aim to strike a balance between modern relevance and deep-rooted storytelling. We want our interiors to resonate emotionally with the people who use them, to feel warm, intuitive, and lived-in, without ever feeling over-styled or out of touch.

It’s hard to point to a single project, because our focus has always been to make sure that every project carries the H2R identity — whether it’s a hotel, café, or retail concept. For us, that identity isn’t about repeating a style, but about staying true to our values: approachability, functionality, and a certain tactile sensitivity. Each project has its own narrative, but you’ll always find the H2R soul embedded within it.

Material selection is always guided by the nature and location of the project. Because we work across different markets, our specifications are tailored considering lead times, production capabilities, durability, and regional availability. We try, as much as possible, to source within the region of the project. This helps not only with logistics and cost but also makes life easier for our clients and contractors.

We always try to keep people at the centre of our work. Innovation is important, especially in a place like Dubai, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of the soul. We look for ways to bring in authenticity through storytelling, materials, and spatial flow, even in the most contemporary frameworks. It’s about grounding design in purpose — creating moments of familiarity, surprise, and comfort, all at once.

The UAE has its own pace — it’s incredibly fast-moving, which means timelines can be tight and expectations high. But that also brings a lot of opportunity. Clients here are often open to ideas, to experimenting, and to pushing boundaries. On the flip side, because of the pace, there can be logistical challenges, so we’ve learned to be both creative and pragmatic. Each region we work in teaches us something new, but the UAE has been especially formative for us in learning how to think on our feet and design with agility.

It starts with the story — understanding the brand and what it wants to say. From there, we look at how that story can come alive across touchpoints: layout, lighting, acoustics, flow, and even brand identity. Design needs to support operations, not just aesthetics. A successful F&B space needs to be visually compelling but also intuitive — a place where people want to stay, return to, and recommend. We don’t see design as a layer on top; it’s integrated with the full customer experience.

Thankfully, there’s a growing awareness across the industry — more brands and suppliers are prioritising sustainability, which makes it easier to maintain our design vision without compromise. Sustainability isn’t just about materiality; it’s about longevity too. A well-designed space that stands the test of time is inherently sustainable.

There’s a growing appreciation for thoughtful, grounded design in Dubai — a shift from spectacle to substance. That really excites us. As a studio, we want to keep contributing to this shift by creating spaces that are emotionally resonant, culturally relevant, and built with care. Whether it’s hospitality, retail, or public space, we believe there’s room to keep raising the bar and helping the region mature in its design voice.

We’re constantly inspired by what’s happening around the world — we are always observing, learning, and benchmarking. There’s not a particular project that stands out, but rather movements we’re excited by. Recently, we were in 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, and it was incredibly inspiring to experience the Scandinavian approach up close. It reminded us of the power of restraint, detail, and material consciousness.

Dubai really does have something for every design lover. Take Edition, for example, where timeless elegance meets modern minimalism — plush textures, moody lighting, and that kind of quiet luxury that feels both grounded and cool. Then there’s SIRO Hotel, which leans into performance-driven design: sleek, bold, and built for movement, combining clean lines with wellness-focused functionality. You can feel the energy the moment you walk in.

On the F&B side, Honeycomb Hi-Fi is a standout — it blends Japanese listening bar culture with retro-futuristic interiors, creating a space where the acoustics are just as considered as the cocktails. And of course, there’s our own home base at The Courtyard in Al Quoz. It’s one of those rare places that never goes out of style — creative, community-driven, and full of character. It’s been a fixture in the scene for years and inspires us every day.