Mustafa Khamash, K.art Group

As an Architect and the Owner of K.art Group, UAE-based Mustafa Kamash is a pioneer in the world of Interior Design. Mustafa tells The Industry Leaders why he hopes sustainability will be a priority for the design industry and speaks about how his home in the UAE inspires him.
How did you end up sitting where you are today?
By being driven by passion and putting in hard work and persistence. Equipped with 16 years of experience, my company, Kart Group, has understood that interior design is not just about aesthetics. Design also unifies and strengthens the bond experienced within a space. Interior design is subsequently a practical and philosophical discipline that supports the pleasure, health and overall well-being of building occupants by providing a safe and nurturing environment in which to reside.
Nowadays, the firm caters to the highest standards of various government entities, cultural institutions, corporate partners, the hospitality sector, and private homeowners across the country and further into the Middle East.
What kind of work does your role involve?
I am personally involved from concept to development up to a project's final execution.
Together with my team, we are committed to excellence in service and design, whether the project involves hotels, restaurants, residential villas, offices, or retail projects. We value our clients and view every project as an opportunity to establish a long-term relationship. As a luxury design atelier in the UAE, our mission is to support our clients in creating the perfect environment in which to live, work and enjoy life.
What gets you excited about your industry?
The everyday challenge of pushing the boundaries of my creativity and thinking differently. I'm excited about being able to see the world through a constantly changing lens. Each challenge is fascinating and allows me to explore a different landscape.
Dubai, my home, is an extraordinary city and is home to a multitude of cultures, nationalities, and religions. This vibrant society means that it's fast-paced and ever-changing. In addition to its fascinating cultural heritage, the design culture in the UAE is enriched with an exceptional diversity of external influences from the creatives that it attracts.
What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
"Follow your dreams".
What are the best ways to support aspiring leaders in your field?
To work with passion and think out of the box. My best advice for aspiring leaders would be to never stop experimenting and always invest in their creativity.
How do you keep up to speed with what's happening in your industry?
To keep the speed, you need to lead. We need to be pioneers in the continuous evolution, redefinition, and reimagination of the world. It's essential to stay ahead of our own ideas and be the architect of our unique designs and future.
What was the most challenging project or situation you've overcome?
In every project, it's always a challenge to translate a philosophy into a design. We look at each project with a fresh set of eyes and treat it as a blank canvas. That is how we bring original ideas to the table.
You finish work today and step outside the office to find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do?
I believe in hard work only - nothing comes easy in our industry. However, I'd love to design my very own island. If I had a budget like this, it would allow me to experiment with perpetual creativity and never-ending innovations, and to explore diverse architectural materials without any borders or constraints.
How do you switch off after a day at work?
I personally enjoy long walks in nature and being surrounded by my family.
If you had one wish for the future of your industry, what would it be?
I would wish for it to be more sustainable. Maybe my claim is a little bold, but I truly believe things should be designed for sustainability. Design defines how material objects look and feel and how they are used. If sustainability is taken into account at the very beginning — in the design phase — the products we use, and the spaces we live in, it will eventually influence our way of living to be more sustainable.
What book or podcast should everyone know about?
Ask The Dust by John Fante. Published in 1939 and set during the Great Depression.
How should people connect with you?
You can reach me through either of our company pages:
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