This piece was first published in Shawati’ , Issue 71

Dr. Alamira Reem Al Hashimi, General Manager of Madar_39. © M_39

Nestled in Mina Zayed, an industrial area punctuated with shipping containers and the smell of salt hangs, lingering in the air, Madar_39, or M_39 as it is commonly known, blossoms. Inside the building, a collection of shared working spaces and individual offices, and studios, there is a quiet buzz of activity. The spaces, which are occupied by members and are all glass-fronted, allow both for privacy and a collective creative spirit. Artwork adorns the walls, natural light weaves through the open areas, and pet-friendly policy means a dog might calmly pad down a corridor beside a designer deep in thought. It feels a bit like a university reimagined [a-kind-of-University 2.0] where instead of lecture halls and seminar rooms; there are sunlit offices, creative studios, and conversation corners where new ideas are growing. Its name - Madar - means orbit in Arabic and it is aptly named. Here, creative entrepreneurs orbit one another like celestial bodies nourishing individual growth trajectories while drawing strength from their collective gravity.

(L-R) M_39 Community. An exterior look at M_39. © M_39

At the helm is Dr Alamira Reem Al Hashimi, an urbanist, author, and cultural strategist who is committed to supporting and developing Abu Dhabi's creative entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through M_39, its members and the wider community not only have access to affordable, well-designed space and an environment that actively promotes business growth, but they are also opportunities for mentorship and guidance, capacity building and places to share and showcase work, gaining invaluable insight and feedback from the community. In that sense then, it is a safe space to experiment, collaborate, and continuously learn.

In the conversation that follows, Dr Al Hashimi outlines the ripple effect that enabling such experimentation, reflection, and collaboration within Abu Dhabi and the wider region, why creativity is not always valued and how M_39 how it embraces diverse, often nonlinear ways of learning. She also covers M_39's unique co-working model and how it embraces the values of connectivity and collaboration to bring about new ideas, and a recognition that growth doesn't happen in isolation.

In founding M_39, what kind of ecosystem were you seeking to build for the UAE's creative and cultural entrepreneurs?

With Madar_39, we set out to design a place that not only supports creative and cultural entrepreneurs but truly understands the realities of their journey. We wanted to build an ecosystem rooted in generosity and imagination, where creative entrepreneurs could experiment, collaborate, and grow without the pressure of immediate commercial success.

Too often, creative work is undervalued or forced to fit into rigid models of productivity. At Madar_39, we wanted to flip that script. We imagined a space that brings together designers, storytellers, independent thinkers, and doers under one roof; a place where ideas can be nurtured into intellectual property, businesses, or movements.

Our aim was to create an environment that removes barriers, encourages dialogue, and fosters a sense of belonging. One that champions local voices while also equipping them to resonate globally. Ultimately, we're trying to shape an ecosystem that sees creativity as a powerful engine for innovation and cultural vitality in the UAE and beyond.

(L-R) Madar_39 The Atrium. Dr Alamira Reem Al Hashimi, General Manager of Madar39. © Madar_39

How has M_39 evolved since its inception, and what have been some key turning points in its development?

One of the early turning points was recognising that our role was not just to provide physical infrastructure, but to actively shape a learning environment, an academy of sorts, with imagination at its core. That insight shifted our focus towards programming, mentorship, and content creation, giving people more than just a place to work, we offered a place to grow.

Another key moment came when we embraced the importance of access; understanding that vibrancy doesn't come from exclusivity, but from thoughtful inclusion. That led to rethinking how we welcome people into the space, and to designing pathways for entry that feel human and personal rather than transactional.

We've also learned that our most meaningful impact comes when we gather people with intent, around dialogue, collaboration, or shared purpose. These moments have helped position Madar_39 not only as a space, but as a cultural voice and a platform for new narratives coming out of Abu Dhabi.

What distinguishes M_39 from other creative or co-working spaces regionally and internationally?

We've cultivated a community that is intentionally diverse; across disciplines, backgrounds, and stages of the creative journey. You'll find early-stage founders working alongside established designers, cultural strategists, and thought leaders, all contributing in different ways, but held together by a shared ethos of care, presence, and purpose.

This diversity isn't incidental, it's essential. It creates a fertile environment where ideas cross-pollinate and people learn from one another, not through hierarchy, but through generosity and exchange. We believe creativity flourishes when people feel seen, supported, and free to explore beyond traditional boundaries.

Unlike many co-working models that are transactional, Madar_39 is shaped by a kind of social contract. It asks for participation, not just presence, for people to contribute to the collective culture through their practice, their knowledge, and their intent. In that way, Madar_39 becomes more than a workspace; it becomes a shared process, a place of belonging, and a continuously evolving ecosystem grounded in creative responsibility.

What are the foundational values that shape the M_39 community, and how are these values maintained as the ecosystem grows?

At Madar_39, our community is built on a set of foundational values that are not just words on a wall. They are lived, practised, and felt in the everyday rhythm of the space.

We move with care - towards the space itself, the people within it, and the work that takes shape here. That care shows up in our decisions, our language, and in the attention, we give to what is still forming. It means holding space for failure, for trial, and for unrushed growth. It's how we support work that is not yet complete.

We act with integrity, aligning our values with our actions. It’s how we protect the culture of Madar_39, how we hold each other accountable, and how we lead - quietly, purposefully - without needing to be seen.

Generosity is at the heart of what we do. We give openly: our knowledge, our time, our presence, our food. It’s what builds trust and ensures that others have what they need to grow. It reminds us that creativity thrives not in isolation, but in community.

And finally, we embrace stewardship. We see ourselves as caretakers of a culture that we’re building together. Stewardship is about protecting that culture, upholding the standard, and carrying the work forward with integrity and respect.

As Madar_39 grows, these values are maintained not through rules, but through relationships. They’re modelled by our team, echoed by our members, and reinforced by the way we curate, programme, and engage. They are what make Madar_39 feel less like a facility and more like a shared responsibility. A place you belong to, not just a place you use.

How is collaboration fostered within the space, and do you see unexpected partnerships or creative outcomes emerging organically?

At Madar_39, collaboration isn’t something we force, it’s something we make room for. We foster it by creating the conditions where people feel safe to be curious, to share ideas in progress, and to show up not just as professionals, but as people. The space is designed for openness: from the way the studios and work areas flow, to the inviting charm of our common areas, to the culture of generosity that invites people to listen, contribute, and exchange.

What we’ve seen over time is that collaboration happens most naturally when there’s trust. That trust grows through small, everyday interactions, through conversation over lunch, a spontaneous critique session, or simply being in proximity to someone working in a completely different discipline. These moments spark unexpected partnerships, and the outcomes often go beyond what we imagined: an architect working with a filmmaker to develop an installation, or a merchandise and product designer working with a food photography studio to produce a sensory experience that blurs the line between food, design, and visual art - where the product becomes part of the narrative.

We’ve learned that when people feel held by the space and the culture, they take more creative risks, and those risks often lead to something original, something shared. Collaboration here is rooted in mutual respect and a willingness to grow together, even if the path isn’t clear at the start.

What role does mentorship or peer-to-peer support play in the community you’ve built?

Mentorship and peer-to-peer support are central to the culture of Madar_39. We believe that growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens through dialogue, exchange, and the generosity of those who have walked similar paths. Within our community, support is not top-down. It’s relational. Whether through structured mentoring programmes or spontaneous moments of advice shared over coffee, we see knowledge as something to be offered openly, not guarded.

We’ve created an environment where people feel comfortable asking questions, offering guidance, and learning from each other’s experiences regardless of age or seniority.

Mentorship at Madar_39 is also about holding space for what’s still forming, for ideas that need time, encouragement, and honest feedback. Whether someone is starting a business, refining their creative voice, or navigating uncertainty, they know they’re not doing it alone.

Ultimately, we see mentorship as a mindset, a way of being in community that ensures everyone grows stronger together.

How do you define success for M_39 not just commercially, but in terms of cultural and creative contribution?

For us, success at Madar_39 goes far beyond commercial metrics. Of course, financial sustainability matters but what drives us is something deeper: the ability to meaningfully support the creative entrepreneurial ecosystem by building capabilities, harnessing imagination, and empowering individuals to build lasting, purpose-driven livelihoods.

We measure success in the momentum of our members: their growth, breakthroughs, collaborations, and creative confidence. If someone feels that being here helped them move forward in their journey or simply gave them the sense that they’re part of a community that sees and supports them, that’s a meaningful outcome.

Madar_39 is also a space for thought leadership and the creation of intellectual property. We aspire to authentically represent Abu Dhabi and the UAE on a global stage by exporting ideas that are homegrown [or grown here] with integrity and vision. Our role is to create the conditions where those ideas can take shape and travel, contributing to the creative economy.

Ultimately, success looks like a space that people love being in, where they feel encouraged to take creative risks, supported in building something new, and connected to a culture that values both their work and their wellbeing.

As M_39 expands its reach, what kind of international dialogues or partnerships are you most interested in fostering?

At Madar_39, we are actively cultivating strategic partnerships that empower creative entrepreneurs by fostering collaborative opportunities for knowledge exchange, skills development, and community engagement. These relationships are key to driving innovation, amplifying impact, and unlocking new avenues for growth within the creative ecosystem.

While we’re still a small and growing team, and still shaping many of our local partnerships, these are some of our early aspirations. We’re beginning to connect with creative entrepreneurship hubs both regionally and internationally, with the goal of exchanging best practices, staying attuned to industry trends, and exploring new approaches to impact measurement and community building.

We’re particularly interested in partnerships that provide international exposure for our members, through access to design fairs, entrepreneurship festivals, and global conferences. These opportunities can offer valuable inspiration, connect our creatives to international networks, and position Abu Dhabi’s creative voices on the global stage sponsors who can support access to international opportunities, cultural institutions that share our commitment to creative exchange, and universities that can help bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world experience.

Looking ahead 5 to 10 years, what kind of legacy do you hope M_39 will leave for the next generation of creatives in the UAE?

In 5 to 10 years, I hope Madar_39 will be remembered as more than just a physical space [and a beautiful one at that!]. It will be seen as a foundational chapter in the story of creative entrepreneurship in the UAE. Our legacy will be one of creative empowerment, where diverse creative voices not only find support but shape the cultural and economic fabric of the nation.

I want Madar_39 to be known for nurturing fearless experimentation, where failure was embraced as part of growth, and where creative practices were respected as valuable drivers of innovation and identity. More than that, I hope we helped build a community that feels like family, one where care, generosity, and shared responsibility are the norm, and where every new generation finds inspiration and opportunity.

An Introduction to M_39 with Dr Alamira Reem Al Hashimi