Having recently completed work on the new Al Mayass in Abu Dhabi, interior architect Delphine Gebran talks about how restaurant design has adapted to the new norms and the real meaning of luxury.

Delphine Gebran

1. What can you tell us about the concept for Al Mayass in Abu Dhabi?

We often turn to nature for inspiration. For Al Mayass in Abu Dhabi, we were inspired by the pomegranate: a superbly composed fruit. The main seating area resembles the shape of an open pomegranate with the seeds removed. Designing the space was like placing each unique pomegranate seed in its own dedicated spot to form a complete work of art with the right mix of colors, materials and textures.

2. How has restaurant and bar design changed since the onset of Covid-19?

In my opinion, there are two significant areas when we talk about the changes in restaurant design since the pandemic began:
1- Quick fixes
This includes adapting interiors to respond to social distancing rules, choosing furniture that can be cleaned easily and creating a surreal dining experience to attract apprehensive clients, such as using stuffed animals and mannequins to occupy vacant tables.
2- Long-term lifestyle changes
We are redefining the boundaries between interior and exterior. Nature is the industry’s salvation, so creating outdoor spaces and extending the seating area to incorporate the exterior is the next design frontier. During the pandemic, restaurants relied on online orders and takeaways to sustain their business. With “grab and go” becoming the norm, we as designers have to incorporate a pick-up station into our designs by creating a well-studied setup and route from the moment the client arrives until they leave. Even if it is for a few short minutes, we must create a new environment where diners can escape, an experience that will accompany the customer back home and while they enjoy their takeaway. Furthermore, with the rapid evolution of food deliveries, restaurants encountered the dilemma of where delivery drivers could wait without being seen by dine-in guests. To adapt to this new trend, we created a partition and a patterned waiting area at Al Mayass in Abu Dhabi so that delivery drivers would blend in.

3. What design trends should we look out for in 2022?

We look beyond trends and strive to create unique and timeless interiors. Our research isn’t based on what colors and materials are in fashion, as the design would be outdated by the time it all comes to life.

In this fast-paced, stressful world of ours, the notion of luxury has changed; it is no longer defined by fine materials. Nowadays, luxury is not having to queue at a café or a check-in counter. Luxury is about the experience.

Al Mayass Abu Dhabi

4. Where in the GCC are you seeing the biggest shift in terms of how restaurants and/or bars are designed?

Restaurants today have become so much more than a place to eat. Diners want the whole experience to “taste” good, so restaurateurs all over the world are focusing more and more on outstanding interiors, especially given the rise in social media.

5. What projects are you currently working on?

We are currently working on several restaurant projects in the Middle East and Africa, each promising a beautiful journey and a unique story. Every project we undertake begins with market research, continues with understanding the lifestyle and concludes with a thoughtful interior.