AZAZ Architects New Project: Deco Temple, Elixir Bunn Coffee Roasters

Azaz Architects is a multiple International Award Winning boutique architecture and design services firm based in Riyadh with a second location in Madrid. The firm provides A-Z design services to a wide variety of local and international clients.

Services offered to include exterior and interior architecture, furniture design, site supervision as well as project management. So far, Azaz Architects has delivered a diverse portfolio of projects ranging from residential, multi-use, office space and commercial.

So it is no wonder that Azaz Architects were approached to design the interiors of Elixir Bunn‘s latest café – Deco Temple – in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The temple-like space takes its inspiration from the coffee culture of Saudi Arabia, a tradition well-rooted into society, dating back to times before the formation of the Kingdom.

Embracing the unique shape and layout of the unit, the team incorporates the central support column into the main theme of the design, creating a centrepiece of dramatic overreaching arches that visually dissect the interior into smaller spaces.

Luring the eye upwards into a vast double-height room, the arches accentuate scale while the texture and colour of the hand-applied plaster create the feel of local sanctity, a beautiful reference to traditional Islamic architecture.

Contemporary materials and decorative details give the Deco Temple a stylish modern edge. Italian terrazzo covers the floor, countertops and sections of the exterior walls, the earthy hues contained within the terrazzo stone echoed in seating upholstery, tabletops and structure of the spiral staircase that ushers guests onto the higher level.

Tables, chairs and booth seating introduce a natural touch to the interior, the exposed grains of the wood softening the strong lines of the surrounding space. Decorative details such as the metal trims, furniture fixtures and, lighting compliment Azaz’ Architects’ vision, sampling the darker antique brass and midnight tones from the interior’s colour palette.

As the sun sets, the temple transforms with directional floor lighting further exposing the texture of the arches. Large sculptural bronze pendants descend over the countertops to illuminate the service area with an artistic touch.

Elixir Bunn’s latest store has become an instant landmark within the Arabian coffee industry. Its appreciation of heritage and understanding of ritual has set the standard for stores and services to come, helping write the next chapter in the Kingdom’s rich culture.

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