Velaa Private Island by JYH International Architects with Eva Szumilas

JYH International Architects is a Lebanon-based luxury design and procurement firm renowned for delivering bespoke interiors for exclusive resorts and private residences worldwide. Founded by architects Joy Alexandre Harb and Yanna Haddad, both educated at the Lebanese American University and IAAC in Barcelona, the studio combines architecture, interior design, engineering, and advanced technologies to create distinctive spaces defined by comfort, innovation, and timeless quality.

With a diverse team from Lebanon, Japan, Czech Republic, and Spain, JYH International Architects has built an impressive portfolio across Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Cyprus, Indonesia, and beyond. Their projects range from urban master plans and commercial spaces to high-end residential and resort developments, consistently marked by meticulous detailing and refined craftsmanship.

A highlight of their recent work is the award-winning renovation of a luxury villa at Velaa Private Island, Maldives, one of the world’s most exclusive resorts. The project reimagines island living with floor-to-ceiling glass framing ocean vistas, seamless indoor–outdoor transitions, and bespoke fixed furniture handcrafted from rare marbles, exotic timbers, and artisanal textiles. Despite the challenges of sourcing and transporting materials to a remote island, JYH International Architects, in collaboration with designer Eva Szumilas, achieved a refined atmosphere of comfort and understated opulence.

Eva Szumilas is a Polish-Lebanese designer whose multidisciplinary work spans luxury furniture, artisanal product design, and architecture. Based in Beirut since 2010, she leads her creative studio with a vision that unites poetry and functionality. Drawing from her European and Middle Eastern heritage, she creates sculptural pieces celebrated for their refined craftsmanship and cultural depth.

Her designs have been exhibited at PAD Paris and PAD London, and featured in AD France, AD Germany, AD Middle East, AD Poland, Taschen, among others. In 2022, her acclaimed “Gong Cabinet” won the prestigious A’ Design Award.

With a Master’s degree in Architecture and City Planning, Eva brings architectural precision to her work, enriching her understanding of scale, form, and spatial interaction. Her studio has built a reputation for exceptional quality across private residences, corporate offices, hospitality, and cultural spaces in Lebanon, the MENA region, and Europe.

Together, JYH International Architects with Eva Szumilas continue to redefine global luxury interiors through vision, innovation, and artistic excellence.