GIGI’S BAR
A Greek identity with traditional aesthetics.
LOCATION
Ghazala bay, North cost, Egypt.
Scope
Architecture & Interior design
DELIVERED
Area 500 m2
Brief
Gigi’s, a Greek burger bar, asked our team to design their location at Ghazala Bay on Egypt’s North Coast, integrating them with the feel of this popular beach destination, and the aesthetics of the local Bedouin people’s culture.
Our challenge was designing an open beachfront restaurant that embraces the stunning sea views. Our team designed a spatial layout that maximized the panoramic vistas, ensuring unobstructed sightlines from every angle. Incorporating elevated platforms and outdoor dining areas, guests will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the beach while enjoying their meals. The design utilized a neutral color palette and natural materials, complementing the coastal surroundings. The goal was to create an unforgettable dining experience that seamlessly integrates with the breathtaking sea views. Gigi’s design is oriented to view the sea from all spaces, whether you’re dining in the main area, drinking at the bar, or enjoying uninterrupted views from the sea-level lounge area where you’re a literal footstep away from sand.
CONCEPT
In this Greek burger bar by the beach, our team used trees and trunks found on site to create a soothing atmosphere. Our team wanted to blend the restaurant Greek identity with traditional aesthetics so that it blends effortlessly with the environment. Framing the Mediterranean with its clean outline, the bar’s main entrance neighbors a cypress tree – a holdover from a previous restaurant that occupied the site. When our team got to the location they found this cypress tree left to decay and surrounded by storage and junk, they felt like it didn’t belong in some backyard and instead should be the main focus of the space. It ended up embodying the spirit of the place.
It’s the only striking aspect of the venue, while everything else is simple and reserved. The 15 meters-high cypress provides shade during the day, and after our team complemented it by hanging lighting pendants from it-provides light at nighttime. Most of the palette we used was off-white, it was only the bar stools that had a distinct red color as the brand’s logo was adapted to look more vibrant at the beach. So our team made the connection to their summertime identity on the natural leather stools.
As tree trunks cover the entire venue, organic shadows are printed onto the design’s minimal walls, further emphasizing our team approach of being minimal and unobtrusive without pouring artificial materials into the space. Taking into consideration the slightest of details such as only using cactus families for the landscaping, as the venue is meant to operate year-round, the restaurant evokes an atmosphere imbued with calm visuals, Greek music, and ultimately, the sand and sea.
