Greek island hospitality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Year
2021
Expertise
Interior Design
Photography
Bayan AlSadiq
The Meraki concept was born of a desire to offer a premium, contemporary environment celebrating Greek cuisine. The Waney family approached CADA to create a refreshed design concept for the Riyadh restaurant which opened in 2021.
Our interior design concept for Meraki recreates the aesthetic of the original London site. Paying homage to Greece’s olive trees, natural wood and greenery and bringing a sophisticated, vibrant and upbeat Mediterranean feel. A tempting display of the freshest seafood and a sizeable open grill take pride, highlighting Greece’s relationship with the sea.
Materials with earthy qualities and abundant planting, redolent of a Greek island are balanced with refinement that suits guest expectations. The luxury hotel environment demands a certain finesse: fine finishes in brass and tone help to achieve this.
We sourced art by Greek artists and cultural artefacts to transport diners and lend a sense of anticipation. We developed this by adding a terrace feel on the side of the Al Faisaliah Tower. Our team worked with MEP consultants and specialist manufacturers to develop a façade feature. This gave an outdoor dining feel while combatting the solar gain. The large windows and exterior elevation both retract, enabling diners to enjoy open air dining in the desert breeze during the cooler months of the year.
This lively dining destination is a visual showcase for the Waney family’s love of Greek culture and cuisine and chef Athinagoras Kostakos’s island food concept.
Visit Meraki next time you’re in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia!