Surface Design Awards – Complete

• COMMERCIAL BUILDING - INTERIOR
  Commercial Buildings that are used for commercial purposes, and include retail, hospitality, workplaces, factories and warehouses and buildings where commercial services are provided. At least 50 percent of the buildings’ floor space will be used for commercial activities.

Completion Date: 9th Feb 2023
Cost : 4,67,299 USD
First unveiled in 2016 in La Mer, Dubai, the original Masti Cocktails & Cuisine had emerged as a world-class dining destination for patrons looking to indulge in Indian-inspired cuisine with a contemporary twist. The design drew from cultural influences—bold, vibrant, and buzzing with energy—much like the nation that inspired the restaurant’s concept.
The move from La Mer to The Dubai Edition Hotel is characterised by a meticulous approach to reuse and repurposing. The design is a skilful assemblage of the old and the new that preserves the hospitality experience of the original while enhancing the drama and delight of dining one can expect from the Masti crew. Familiar spatial markers carrying forward the memory of the original, such as the custom-designed furniture by Mangrove Collective and lighting by AKFD, have been reused—evoking a sense of warmth and nostalgia. On the other hand, dynamic new insertions celebrate the restaurant in its new avatar.
One of the key design concerns was establishing a seamless cohesion of functions within a small footprint on the hotel’s first floor, which turned into an opportunity to experiment with new dynamic elements and layouts. Three distinct areas define the dining experiences. The first zone features an experiential dining area where patrons can engage with the activities within the kitchen through an open counter. This space leads into a secondary dining area, anchored by the bar, which is characterised by the familiar stained-glass elephant sculpture, transported here from its former location. Finally, alfresco seating in intimate pockets on the balcony offers expansive views of the cityscape. The placement of the large kitchen footprint at the entrance left a narrow passageway with a large span of a dead wall as its remnant. To create an intriguing guest experience, the design approach heightened the contradictory nature of both spaces. Guests were taken onto a journey—entering through the narrow tunnel, the experience amplifying the expansiveness of the restaurant space beyond. Moreover, the illusionary effects of mirrored reflections were leveraged to visually expand the narrow corridor. Integrating Kriska chainmail in vibrant colors, the architecturally rigid archway was overlaid with delicate aluminium material. With a subtle sway, the chain-link structure brings a dynamic touch, offering a surreal entry experience.
A second archway–the repurposed gin screen–becomes a portal to the bar with the stained-glass elephant. Handcrafted in stained glass, green quartzite, and wood, it sets the precedent for the rest of the space with exaggerated spinoffs of flora and fauna, strongly associated with the country, in different mediums–imaginatively aligning the fun quotient of the brand. The glazing along the northern periphery offers panoramic vistas of the skyline. Sheer white curtains let in dappled light throughout the day. Adding to the sense of drama is the rotovap - a machine that infuses different flavours into gin–encased within a cabinet of curiosities. Every now and then, a little visual spectacle is created when the cabinet is opened up for use. All the new elements that have been introduced, celebrate the details and playfulness of the first restaurant, immersing the patron into a space that feels familiar yet exciting. Lush wallpapers and texture-painted walls form the backdrop for the tactile details captured in the millwork and restored custom-made furniture, evoking memories of the former restaurant, and adding to the ambience in the new location.
In contrast to conforming to design trends, the space possesses a unique charm, retaining identity through the repurposing of various elements, yet uncompromising on the creation of a deeply luxurious dining experience.

The premise of the brand name gave the design team playful grounds to build upon with colorful quirky elevated takes of Indian influences running as a common thread between the interiors. The space is dotted with modern expressions of Indian art, craft, and architecture set against a vibrant palette of colors. An integral part of the new dining experience, the walls of the open kitchen are clad in amber-yellow glass bricks, emulating the incandescent embers of an Indian tandoor.
The chairs are hand-wrapped in rope using a traditional weaving method. While their locally available counterparts in India are usually made with natural fiber and in earthy tones—to match the levels of masti demanded by this project, their patterns were drafted in vivacious colors. Geometric and organic motifs, taken from indigenous board games, borders of regional textiles, and saris, can be seen translated into various elements—be they inlaid marble tables, hand-carved wooden furniture, floral fabrics, flooring patterns, or even screen partitions.
Handcrafted in stained glass, green quartzite, and wood, a massive Elephant installation anchors the story of the bar. It also sets the precedent for exaggerated spinoffs of flora and fauna, most associated with the country, in different mediums - imaginatively aligning the fun quotient of the brand.

The concept of sustainability is often considered at odds with luxury. Through the design, we attempted to incorporate the principles of circularity. The driving force behind the design of the new restaurant was a considered approach to reuse, repurpose, and recycle—minimizing material costs and energy expended in the relocation. Our intervention also explored how we could adopt environmentally friendly practices in an industry preoccupied with fleeting trends and overconsumption. Very few new items were introduced during construction. Instead, we meticulously selected and reused elements such as the existing flooring, bar backdrop, and furniture, which were polished, mended, and reupholstered. Even sheer curtains and lighting from the previous site were repurposed, creating a fresh relationship with the furniture. The result challenges the common assumption that luxury spaces require entirely new and custom-made elements, showcasing our commitment to minimal new interventions and maximal repurposing.

The tunnel-like entrance vestibule was the challenging aspect of the project. We chose to play with volume and scale to create drama in the first impressions that the guests experience. Placing the large kitchen footprint at the entrance gave us a narrow passageway with a large span of a dead wall as its remnant. To create an intriguing guest experience, we adopted a contradictory approach. Guests were taken onto a journey—entering through a narrow tunnel - that experience amplified the sense of expansiveness of the restaurant space beyond. Moreover, we leveraged the illusion of mirrors and reflections to visually expand the narrow corridor. Integrating Kriska chainmail in vibrant colors, we designed an architecturally rigid archway with delicate aluminum material. With a subtle sway, the chain link structure brings a dynamic touch, offering a surreal experience.

The idea behind Masti- the Hindi term for frolic, is an F&B destination envisioned to create culinary stories about New India, they wanted to maintain an inherently Indian soul with a contemporary twist, to engage the evolving palettes of a globally-aware audience. The brand reflects its name through a vibe that is progressive, spirited, and fresh, while the interiors aim to capture the vibrancy of Indian culture through fun yet meaningful elements that substantiate the narrative.