Issue 007 | Dispatch on Design

Design shapes how we experience the world. Whether in the spaces we inhabit, the brands we resonate with, or the way we build communities; design is a language.

For this issue, you’ll notice that we explore that language through local businesses like HIVE and Afraid Studio.

But besides that, we have something of our own to share.

We know it’s been a minute, and that’s because we’ve been working on expanding HABAYTAT into a full-fledged digital magazine. This has been months in the making, and we’re finally gearing up for launch in March. It’s all that you love about our newsletter, simply sharper, broader, and more engaging—at least, we’d hope you find it that way too.

Design is about intention. And our intention has always been to create something meaningful.

Happy reading, and we’ll see you in March.

Rand Al Hadethi & Hajir

(And if you’re new here, subscribe—the newsletter stays; just gets more exclusive)

*For the best reading experience, read online on desktop.

Corinne Barlocco, a 30-year-old creative, has always been certain of her artistic path. As a photographer, stylist, and cool hunter, she has spent years shaping visual narratives across multiple disciplines.

In 2018, she co-founded Afraid STUDIO, an independent multidisciplinary creative studio in Milan. Originally established as the creative arm of a music label, the studio quickly expanded, evolving into a full-fledged agency after relocating to Dubai just over a year ago. Afraid STUDIO has since collaborated with local cafés and restaurants for events like Sole DXB, as well as brands such as Slicefourtyfive, HIVE, Creatures of Habit Café, and more.

The studio focuses on “design and communication from 9 am to 7 pm. From 7 pm to 9 am. Its creative explorations extend into passion projects like Souvenir From Italy, a brand described as “a postcard with the taste of salt and Dolce Vita.” It offers a glimpse into their identity, origins, and inspirations.

For this issue, Barlocco shares how she unwinds after long creative days, balancing studio life with personal rituals, and the little indulgences that keep her inspired.

• What is your relationship with self-care?

  I enjoy taking care of myself. It makes me feel good and brings me a sense of peace with the universe.

• How do you create a work-life balance, especially when deeply involved in a project?

  I’m still learning. I care deeply about my work and pour my heart into it. Every project feels personal to me; I respect the time, dedication, and passion behind it. Lately, I’ve been setting boundaries - allowing myself to stop unless there’s an urgent need - even if I feel like I could work all night.

• What is your ideal/favourite way of starting your day?

  I’m not a morning person. In my dream world, I’d have a slow, peaceful morning routine.

  In reality, it’s a hot shower with a scented filter, a cup of rose tea, and a short walk to the florist downstairs to pick up fresh flowers. They remind me of my grandmother’s blooming garden in Italy and the summer days of my childhood, brightening my mood and my day.

• What are your go-to activities or rituals for unwinding after a long work day?

  I love the light just before sunset. Driving with a good playlist (currently Afraid STUDIO Playlist 001 by Tommiboy) and the golden light on my face makes me happy.

  Cycling along the canal to the sea, grocery shopping, or exploring a new corner of the city lets me feel like a tourist in the place I now call home. Cleaning the house with a candle lit also clears my mind, recharging me to create a new day.

• Do you find inspiration in your downtime, or do you prefer to keep work and relaxation separate?

  It’s hard to separate work and free time in a creative field. Inspiration often strikes when I least expect it - during a walk, a conversation, or a fleeting moment. Beauty is everywhere: in a crowded street, a curated concept store, or the style of an older passerby.

• What are you reading/watching/listening to these days?

  I’ll flip through any book and love coffee table books. Fashion, design, and lifestyle magazines? Yes, please. And crossword puzzles.

  On YouTube, I’m hooked on travel vlogs and those random street interviews where people explain their outfits and lives - it’s fascinating and heartwarming to glimpse so many ways of living.

  I also listen to tons of podcasts, especially interviews (probably for the same reason). I love 'meeting' people through their stories, everyone has something inspiring and unique to share. My current favorite is Tintoria - two Italian stand-up comedians interviewing guests. It’s absolutely hilarious.

• Do you have a skin-care routine? If so, what are your top 3 favourite products and why?

  Yes! For some unknown reason, I’ve taken skincare seriously from an early age. Sleeping with makeup on? Never, not even as a teenager.

  My must-haves: Ohily by Espressoh, Gorgeous by Lush, and Hydramemory Depuff Eye Cream by Comfort Zone. I’ve promised myself to add sunscreen to my routine now that I’m 30.

• Do you ever use candles or incense to relax? If so, what are your favourites?

  Thank you for asking. Welcome to my TEDx on candles (just kidding).

  I love scented candles, statement candles, and those that let me dream of a beautiful candlestick. My favorites: Petit Grain 21 by Le Labo (smells like summer) and Wood Sage & Sea Salt by Jo Malone (a blend of mineral and earthy notes).

  For design, Lexpott was my first candle crush. Fun picks include Nonna’s Grocer candles (inspired by their grandparents’ fruit shop) and Piera Bochner’s quirky creations.

  As for candlesticks, I’m in love with those by Susan Alexandra (asparagus-shaped!) and Laetitia Rouget (too many favorites to choose from).

By Rand Al-Hadethi

There are places you go to because you should. Others, because it just makes sense. HIVE is one of the rare few that pulls you in. Dubai has no shortage of popular spaces, but popularity doesn’t always mean ease. Some places are too exclusive. Too chaotic. Too minimal. Too much of something. HIVE, somehow, gets the balance right. Welcoming yet contained. Polished yet casual. Built to be used.

Launched in 2019, HIVE, its first branch in JVC set out to solve two problems. “Dubai lacked contemporary, flexible housing for its transient expat population,” shares HIVE’s Founder and CEO, Bass Ackermann. “HIVE fills that gap with fully furnished apartments, all-inclusive rentals, and flexible leases.” The second challenge? Mixed-use residential spaces existed, but they weren’t truly activated. “There’s often very little effort from property & community management companies to bring these spaces to life. HIVE differs by curating unique events and activations and partnering with local businesses and creatives within its spaces.”

It’s simple: compact apartments for privacy, communal spaces for connection—curated and run by a team that gets how people want to live. But what sets HIVE apart is that its shared spaces aren’t an afterthought. It doesn’t force a specific way of living; it adapts to it.

HIVE’s architecture is built to be modular. The open-plan lounge shapes itself around how people use it, with furniture defining spaces for work, socialising, and downtime. “The same approach extends outdoors and into other amenities,” explains Malek Sadder, Head of Operations and Design. “Screening rooms and kitchens feel like natural extensions of shared areas, with partitions that open when needed. Most of our spaces use loose, movable furniture so they can shift easily for events, activations, and creative collaborations.”

What works with HIVE, and to creatives’ benefit, is that every part of the building is meant to be used, reshaped, and reimagined. “By maintaining multiple adaptable spaces rather than a one-size- fits-all model, we allow creative partners to think outside the box, encouraging them to come up with concepts that have not been done before,” shares Community and Events Manager, Ella McNeill. “This in turn keeps our event calendar fresh and engaging for our residents and wider community. And this approach has been validated by several of our creative partners who have all voiced similar concerns for the lack of authentic and flexible spaces for these activations in the region.”

The team, understands that people need a place; but more importantly, a reason to stay.

Dubai moves fast, but not always in ways that encourage lingering. Community here isn’t something that just randomly happens. “Dubai doesn’t often lend itself to spontaneity and chance interaction,” adds McNeill. “It’s not common, and often not possible, to walk around and stumble upon places or activities that might grab the eye. This results in people living somewhat siloed lives, interacting mostly within their direct network rather than with the larger city.”

Dubai has plenty of institutions that bring people together such as galleries, event spaces, weekend pop-ups, and more. But most make you feel like you need an invitation. Wellness spaces offer that ease; outside that bubble, not so much. HIVE leans into something looser—a mix of wellness, cooking, comedy, and so much more. “We combine various interest groups together to encourage these communities to fuse within our spaces,” shares Fida Faisal, Creative Lead. “This isn’t something you see often in the city.”

The place isn’t reinventing anything, but it makes presence feel easier, emphasising partnerships with those who, as the team puts it, “bring the vibrancy and pulse of the city inside HIVE’s walls so that our residents and community members simply have to show up.”

That last part—showing up—is key.

Community doesn’t emerge from thin air. It needs foot flow and architecture that allows for it. And while Dubai may not always make chance encounters easy, spaces like this pull the city inward.

You might think, “Not everyone is looking for that.” And you’re right. But for the people who are, it’s worth knowing where to find it.