Almaz by Momo – Abu Dhabi – Annabel Karim Kassar

₂₉ Almaz by Momo, Mariyah Island Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2013 Interior Design

Reconversion Music Lounge

740 M2

Complete

The design of ALMAZ Abu Dhabi continues the legacy of an innovative blend between the modern and the traditional, a synergy of Moroccan style and contemporary lines. Yet the design evolves with ALMAZ from one location to another, this time endowing ALMAZ with somewhat of a business flair inspired by Sowwah Square, a business district and stock exchange center. The design creates a new story for the venue nonetheless keeping key elements of ALMAZ, such as the zellige wall.

The spaces, the architecture, the interior design, the detailing, the landscaping and the lighting design are all the result of the coordination between the members of a multi-disciplinary team of craftsmen and suppliers summoned locally and internationally.
ALMAZ extends over several open plan rooms: the bistro-like area, the central U-shape lower area, the “yellow raffia” private salon, the juice bar and the covered terrace housing the shisha area. Space is broken- up and carved into different settings, creating zones with atmospheres that appeal to a diverse audience, thus generating a dynamic plan.

The flooring is carefully assembled hexagonal oak wood parquet with insertions of leather-like finish colored cement tiles, and a few scattered pieces of hexagonal copper tiles adding some “bling” to the warm wood floor. The false ceiling, as in the traditional markets, is formed with wooden blades. Painted in warm colors of brown hues, oranges and soft pink, the ceiling blades span the restaurant all the way to the covered terraces, creating a strong visual perspective.

The Restaurant opens up to the shisha area housed in the covered terraces through wide glass bays allowing natural light and creating large windows from which the Abu Dhabi cityscape is perceived.

The play of colors and patterns, of breaking and fragmenting lights, of reflection and sparkle through the mirror surfaces, the metal elements, brass trays, patterned textiles, colorful Moroccan zellige, ceiling and lighting all contribute in creating “the place to be” in Abu Dhabi.