The Hormuz closure has affected shipping around the world. AD speaks to designers across the Middle East to find out how the political situation is affecting materials, processes and ideas of luxury in real time.
In the Middle East, the cost of oil is never abstract. As geopolitical tensions ripple through markets, soaring energy prices are hitting construction and design projects, from raw materials to shipping. The fallout is forcing architects and designers to rethink everything, from budgets to supply chains, from material choices to the very meaning of luxury.
“For every decision, we’ve had to slow down and reconsider,” says Ali Mohammadioun, designer and founder of E Plus A Atelier. “The process has become more intentional, bringing a stronger sense of clarity and purpose to the work.” For a studio located in Dubai, its clear that projects are being simplified to focus on essentials and that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Mohammadioun is also turning to regional materials and local artisans amidst the oil crisis. “Beyond practicality, this adds a layer of authenticity and craftsmanship that elevates the outcome,” he says. “Luxury is evolving into something quieter, more considered, less about rarity, more about material honesty and the emotional value a space holds over time.”
Mustafa Khamash, architect and the founder of Kart Group agrees: “Materials that originate from the same geography carry an inherent logic, climatic, cultural, tactile. Luxury isn’t about imported finishes anymore. It’s authenticity, coherence and longevity.” On one interior project, delays in imports prompted a radical recalibration: rammed earth replaced conventional cladding, locally woven Al Khoos patterns became bespoke joinery panels and embroidered cultural motifs were integrated into seating; it rightly became an ode to heritage and identity.
Constraints, Khamash notes, can spark unexpected solutions that are often defining of an era: “We used AI to simulate alternatives, comparing thermal stability, acoustic performance and lifespan. Rammed earth exceeded expectations—it was a reminder that local materials are intelligent, resilient and elegant.”
Even where restrictions haven’t forced material shifts yet, designers are preparing. Pooja Shah-Mulani, managing partner-creative at LW Design says, “As the majority of our projects are long-lead, we haven’t yet received requests to re-specify regionally. However, given the evolving global logistical pressures, we anticipate this may become a consideration in the near future.. The systems we developed during COVID-flexible teams, cross-office sharing and streamlined workflows have made us agile enough to handle any disruption.”
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And there’s a deeper human layer to these changes caused by the oil crisis. Agata Kurzela, designer and founder of Agata Kurzela Studio reflects, “This moment has sharpened our focus on local community and culture. Identity is lived, shared and shaped by the people around you. When your home is under attack, you realise how much you value it.” Supply chain delays and logistical hurdles amidst the Hormuz closure have only reinforced resilience, optimism and the importance of local collaboration. “What remains is a sense that we will get through this, stronger and wiser,” she adds. Reflecting on the impact she has been able to achieve in the Middle East, Kurzela mentions her projects are part of the growing UAE cultural ecosystem, both with institutions and local initiatives. “The process of focusing on Emirati materials, on working with local designers and manufacturers is natural and made even more relevant by the geopolitical turmoil.”
Across the Middle East, the sense of spirit is clear: constraints are teaching designers to work smarter, with intelligence and with a profound respect for the region. Material choices, emissions and luxury itself are being questioned more than ever. From local artisanship to climate-conscious finishes, the region’s architecture is proving that when the world shakes, design adapts and sometimes, adapts spectacularly.
