A Foundation in Light
Marie Claire Mrad is an interior architect leading a diverse portfolio of projects between Beirut and Dubai. She holds a Master’s degree from Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik (USEK). She began her career as a lighting designer, immersing herself deeply in the world of light and its transformative power in architecture. This early experience shaped her signature approach.
Bespoke Lighting as a Signature
She places strong emphasis on bespoke lighting within her projects. She designs custom fixtures tailored to each space. Moreover, she is now preparing to launch her own lighting collection.
The Playful Turn: Hospitality Design
After her early years in lighting, Marie Claire gravitated toward the vibrant world of restaurants and bars. Their playfulness, theatricality, and creative freedom inspired her. She spent several years designing hospitality spaces. This experience later influenced her residential work, as clients began seeking that same sense of surprise and atmosphere in their homes.
The First Villa Breakthrough
This path led to her first villa project in Dubai. What began as a commission to design a bar room soon evolved into a full villa concept, one conceived as a scenography blending bespoke lighting with custom-designed furniture.
Growing Residential Portfolio
Since then, her portfolio of residences and villas has continued to grow across Beirut and Dubai. Each project begins with a strong narrative concept. She opens spaces, experiments with materials, and creates immersive experiences tailored to the identity of the place and its owners.
Notable Projects and Recognition
Notable projects such as Alvorada Villa and Al Mahra V18 have been featured in design publications. They highlight her distinctive approach that merges artisanal craftsmanship with contemporary sensibilities.
Teaching and Mentorship
Alongside her practice, Marie Claire has been teaching in USEK’s Interior Architecture department since 2011. She mentors emerging designers and shares her expertise in lighting, spatial storytelling, and material exploration.
Her Design Philosophy
Her design philosophy grounds itself in authenticity to materials, discovering the full potential of each space, and above all, creating meaningful, memorable experiences through design. As she puts it: “Authenticity in materials, courage in design, emotion in every space.”
Editor’s Note
Marie Claire Mrad’s journey stands out because she never abandoned her earliest obsession. Light became her first teacher. Today, she still designs custom fixtures and will soon launch her own collection. From there, she mastered hospitality’s theatricality, only to bring that same surprise into private villas. For example, her first Dubai project started as a single bar room and later became a full home.
That flexibility, paired with fifteen years of teaching at USEK, proves she builds not just spaces but also people. Publications featuring Alvorada Villa and Al Mahra V18 provide proof of her impact. Ultimately, her real signature remains simpler: authenticity, courage, and emotion in every room she touches.
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