Al Majlis Traditional Restaurant

Al Majlis Traditional Restaurant is an architecturally distinctive dining establishment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that masterfully recreates the authentic atmosphere of 1960s traditional Saudi urban environments within a contemporary mall setting. Spanning 1,570 square meters across ground and mezzanine floors, this innovative interior design project exemplifies a harmonious blend of cultural heritage and modern functionality. The spatial design employs a sophisticated modular approach, featuring deliberately shifted structural elements that create dynamic walkways and alleys, effectively simulating the organic layout of traditional Saudi urban spaces. The restaurant's architectural composition incorporates authentic materials including Glass Reinforced Gypsum (GRG), Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC), and various textured finishes in earthy tones, complemented by walnut wood and traditional Mashrabiya screens. The space accommodates 13 private dining rooms, one VIP room, and 25 semi-enclosed dining areas, all designed to respect traditional Saudi dining customs while maintaining operational efficiency. The interior reaches an impressive clear double height of 9.2 meters, with the ground floor extending to 5 meters and the mezzanine level at 3.6 meters. This remarkable architectural achievement, designed by Ahmed Habib and team, earned the Silver A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design category in 2021, recognizing its excellence in cultural preservation and innovative spatial design. The project demonstrates exceptional attention to detail in its integration of pre-owned accessories and traditional patterns, creating an immersive dining experience that pays homage to Saudi Arabian architectural heritage while meeting contemporary hospitality requirements.

Author: Adam Dawson

Keywords: traditional Saudi architecture, cultural dining experience, urban spatial design, heritage interior design, contemporary Arabian restaurant, authentic Middle Eastern ambiance

SOURCES:
https://competition.adesignaward.com/120566

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