The majlis — literally ‘a place to sit’ in Arabic — is much more than just a living room.

It is a cultural institution declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2015, found in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman. Historically, it was the space where disputes were resolved, business deals were struck, weddings were celebrated and visitors were welcomed with dates and coffee.

With a deliberate architectural feature: direct access from the outside, without passing through the interior of the family home. A space of total hospitality and absolute discretion, where the host receives guests with complete freedom and without interference.

The Arab buyer does not need to be told what a majlis is. What they need is to see that the designer understands it too.

And here, luxury is not expressed in marble or gilding: it is expressed in white stone arches, vaulted ceilings, untreated wood, low seating and a palette reduced to the essentials. Austerity as the ultimate expression of refinement, which in Arab culture has a tradition as long as the concept itself.