Material depth and spatial clarity redefine penthouse living at Lana Residences
Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Noir Matière is a residential penthouse interior designed by Boobrook for a private client at Lana Residences, Dorchester Collection. Recently completed, the project investigates the relationship between materiality, light, and spatial perception within a high-rise context, establishing a deliberate contrast with the surrounding urban intensity.
At the core of the project lies a study of duality: raw material expression balanced by a calm, introspective atmosphere. Drawing from principles associated with brutalist architecture, the design translates these references into a refined interior language where material presence, proportion, and light replace ornamentation. The name Noir Matière reflects both the restrained palette and the strategic use of darker tones as active spatial elements—defining depth, framing views, and modulating scale.
The interior is articulated through a limited selection of materials—polished concrete, blackened oak, oxidized steel, textured plaster, and deep-toned stone—chosen for their tactile qualities and interaction with light. This controlled palette allows daylight to emphasize surface variations, while integrated indirect lighting sustains a consistent atmosphere after sunset. Light becomes a unifying device, reinforcing continuity across the penthouse.
Spatially, the project is organized to ensure fluid transitions while maintaining a clear functional hierarchy. Volumes, openings, and circulation paths are carefully proportioned to create a coherent sequence of spaces. By minimizing visual fragmentation and eliminating applied decoration, the design foregrounds construction detail, surface articulation, and the interplay between solid and void.
Situated at an elevated vantage point, the penthouse benefits from expansive views over Dubai. Yet, rather than amplifying the external spectacle, the interior establishes a more enclosed and controlled environment—a retreat that prioritizes stillness and cohesion within a dense urban setting.
Noir Matière ultimately demonstrates how reduction, material consistency, and precise spatial planning can define a rigorous and immersive residential experience.
Technical Sheet
Project name: Noir Matière
Typology: Residential penthouse interior
Location: Lana Residences, Dorchester Collection, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Client: Private
Design: Boobrook
Team: Benjamin and Natacha Bouioukliev
Photography: Shoayb Khattab
Website: https://www.boobrook.com/
About
Boobrook is a design studio founded by Natacha Bouioukliev and Benjamin Vanopbroeke, based on a shared approach to interior architecture that combines spatial clarity, material exploration, and controlled minimalism. The studio’s work focuses on redefi ning contemporary interpretations of brutalism and minimalism through refi ned and cohesive design strategies.
Natacha Bouioukliev leads the creative direction of the studio, with a background rooted in architectural design and a focus on spatial composition, proportion, and material expression. Benjamin Vanopbroeke oversees the strategic and operational aspects of the practice, contributing to the development and execution of projects with an emphasis on functionality, effi ciency, and detail.
Boobrook’s approach is centered on understanding the specifi c context and requirements of each project. The studio develops tailored design solutions that prioritize coherence, material consistency, and the relationship between space, light, and user experience.
