Commissioned by Light & Lives to design their Dubai headquarters, Anthologist Studio transformed a 3,000 sq ft Al Quoz warehouse into a 6,000 sq ft space that refuses to behave like an office. Morph Collective HQ operates simultaneously as working studio and experience centre — a dual identity executed without compromise. Layered with character, the project features an indoor courtyard, a client experience lounge, an assembly lab for bespoke production and flexible workspaces, each carving its own identity, while seamlessly flowing into each other through purposeful coherent design. The result is a workplace that feels inhabited, curated and listened to.
With a limited footprint and over 40 employees to accommodate, the primary planning challenge was maximizing floor space without compromising comfort or access to daylight. It was imperative that the space never felt boxed in at any point, which informed the optimized vertical stacking approach adopted throughout the design. The main walls were kept neutral and light, allowing color to be introduced strategically as subtle zoning identifiers while maintaining a playful atmosphere. Materials such as perforated metal mesh, reinforcement metal bars, stainless steel, and glass blocks — often perceived as cold or sterile — were incorporated in more engaging and unexpected ways. These were layered with retro and vintage-inspired elements, including bright kilim fabrics, rugs, and statement artworks, helping the space break away from a conventional corporate feel and instead achieve a more curated, lived-in character.
Being an experience center and a working studio, Anthologist studio had to work to blur the lines between the two requirements. The intention was for both visitors and employees to naturally relate to the space without the feel of a showroom or exhibition space. The design aimed to create an environment where people felt comfortable being themselves, thus supporting stronger collaboration and productivity. To address this, independent workspaces of varying typologies were introduced to support different work styles and moods, including spaces for quiet focus, one-on-one collaboration, and more relaxed modes of working. A custom made metal slide with lighting, often perceived as gimmicky, was introduced as a functional element to quickly connect to the lab. Bespoke light fixtures, glass tables, wall murals with interactive projection mapping and custom workstations were designed specifically for the project, allowing the client’s products to be experienced in active daily use rather than as static displays.
The project sought to challenge many of the conventions associated with mainstream workplace and commercial design. In the post-COVID era, the trend of creating “resi- mmercial” spaces became increasingly common, often relying on the blind insertion of informal lounge settings alone. Morph HQ approached the idea differently by prioritizing character, personality, and emotional connection over superficial residential cues.
Design:
Furniture Dealer: Counterculture
Lighting Design: Light & Lives
Photography:
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