Between Nature, Culture, and Art: Elnaz of ET’STUDIO on Shaping Timeless and Intentional Spaces
people • INTERIOR DESIGNER
With 14 years of experience across the UAE, New York, and Saudi Arabia, architect and designer Elnaz founded ET’STUDIO as a platform where art, architecture, and design converge. Previously co-founder of EplusA Atelier, she has led landmark hospitality, residential, and commercial projects, establishing a reputation for culturally attuned and design-forward work.
Her philosophy defines boldness as intention, expressed through sculptural forms, expressive spaces, and curated art that feel timeless and refined. Today, ET’STUDIO is recognised internationally for pushing the boundaries of contemporary architecture and interior design across global markets.
Words: designeers
October 2025
WEBSITE: e-t.studio
INSTAGRAM: @et__studio
DESIGNEERS
Can you tell us about your journey: how did you come to found ET’STUDIO?
ET’STUDIO
With 14 years of international experience across the UAE, New York, and Saudi Arabia, architect and designer Elnaz founded ET’STUDIO, a platform where art, architecture, and design converge. Formerly the co-founder of EplusA Atelier, she has directed landmark hospitality, residential, and commercial projects, earning recognition for culturally attuned and design-forward work.
Her philosophy defines boldness as intention, realised through sculptural forms, expressive spaces, and curated art that remain timeless and refined. Today, ET’STUDIO is celebrated internationally for pushing the boundaries of contemporary architecture and interior design across global markets.
DESIGNEERS
When did you realise that architecture and interior design would be your path?
ET’STUDIO
From a young age, I was captivated by how spaces can shape human emotion. While studying Architectural Engineering, I discovered that design could unite technical precision with artistry and that fusion quickly became both my passion and my life’s work.
DESIGNEERS
Which experiences have most shaped your style and design philosophy?
ET’STUDIO
For me, nature is the ultimate source of design, offering lessons in proportion, texture, light, and balance since the beginning of humanity. Travel has expanded this perspective, revealing how different cultures express identity through art, food, design objects, and daily rituals. Museums and historical landmarks further ground my approach, providing timeless examples of craftsmanship and storytelling. While my work across the UAE, New York, and Saudi Arabia has been pivotal, it is this ongoing dialogue between nature, culture, and history that continues to shape and refine my design philosophy.
DESIGNEERS
ET’STUDIO speaks about “pushing the boundaries of design” and boldness. How would you define your approach?
ET’STUDIO
For me, boldness is never about being loud, it is about being intentional. It is the art of creating sculptural forms, curating art with meaning, and shaping expressive spaces that challenge convention while remaining timeless and refined.
DESIGNEERS
What is the project you are most proud of, and why?
ET’STUDIO
One of the projects I am most proud of is a private residence in Dubai where I integrated contemporary design with a carefully curated art collection. The result was more than a home; it became a dialogue between architecture, interiors, and art. That sense of harmony is what I strive to achieve in every project.
DESIGNEERS
Was there a particularly challenging project, and how did you approach it?
ET’STUDIO
Yes, a large-scale hospitality project in the F&B sector with multiple stakeholders and very tight timelines. Its complexity demanded clear communication, rigorous planning, and constant creative problem-solving. In the end, the constraints inspired some of the most innovative design solutions and reaffirmed my belief that challenges can be a catalyst for creativity.
“For me, boldness is never about being loud, it is about being intentional. It is the art of creating sculptural forms, curating art with meaning, and shaping expressive spaces that challenge convention while remaining timeless and refined. ”
ET’STUDIO
DESIGNEERS
Which designers, architects, or movements have influenced you the most?
ET’STUDIO
I deeply admire the sculptural precision of Zaha Hadid, the timeless elegance of Carlo Scarpa, and the spiritual use of light and space by Tadao Ando. Frank Gehry’s expressive approach to form and Le Corbusier’s ability to merge modernist functionality with bold architectural vision have also shaped my perspective. Beyond individual figures, I am inspired by contemporary design movements that unite craftsmanship with cultural narratives, creating work that feels both innovative and deeply rooted.
DESIGNEERS
ET’STUDIO operates between the UAE, New York, and Saudi Arabia: what are the challenges and opportunities of working across such diverse markets?
ET’STUDIO
The greatest challenge lies in navigating the different cultural contexts and expectations of each region. Yet this also presents the greatest opportunity: to create design that is globally informed yet locally rooted, a universal language of architecture and interiors that still honours the identity of its environment.
DESIGNEERS
Is there a type of project you haven’t done yet but would love to realise?
ET’STUDIO
A boutique design hotel. I see hotels as immersive galleries where every detail is an opportunity to tell a story through architecture, interiors, and art.
DESIGNEERS
Where do you draw inspiration from on a daily basis?
ET’STUDIO
I draw inspiration from art, travel, and the rhythm of daily life, whether wandering through a museum, exploring a historic street, or engaging in simple human interactions. Nature is also a constant source, in the way light shifts, textures layer, or colours transform across landscapes. Often, it is in these subtle details that the most powerful design ideas emerge.
DESIGNEERS
Your favourite design hotel?
ET’STUDIO
Aman Tokyo. It embodies restraint and serenity, seamlessly merging contemporary architecture with Japanese tradition. Its balance of scale and intimacy, and of luxury and simplicity, reflects an approach to design that I deeply admire. It shows how a hotel can transcend accommodation to become a cultural and sensory experience.
