Studio Unltd's contemporary Morrocan twist on Bavel's new restaurant in Los Angeles

The award-winning firm Studio Unltd was recently appointed by Bavel to create the interiors for its new Middle Eastern restaurant in LA's Downtown Arts District.

Founded by chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis – who have family roots in Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt – they have always wanted to open a restaurant that showcases the cuisines of their own lineages, bringing together the flavours and dishes they grew up with, without following the usual clichés so often seen.

"Middle Eastern restaurants have long suffered from cliché in design aesthetics such as having a very dark, heavily patterned and often intimidating environments," says Gergis, who assisted Studio Unltd with the interiors. "We wanted to challenge those conventions."

The aim of the restaurant's design was to take a contemporary nod to the heritage of the cuisine while making the most of the space, which is based in a former warehouse.

Of the interior design, Studio Unltd said: "The worn, rather innocuous brick warehouse which houses the space, served as a wonderfully textured canvas for the restaurant to evolve from. Natural light was the first critical ingredient employed in order to create a bright and inviting atmosphere. This was addressed by constructing soaring sawtooth skylights on the roof which, coupled with storefront openings and clerestory windows, bathe the dining room in indirect northern light.

"The interior brick walls have been treated with a wash which evokes the textures of Jerusalem; where wall materials show the age of centuries of different treatments depicting its evolution. The dining patio found its muse in the structural oddities found in the Mediterranean. It features several different materials, textures and features creating a 'mash-up' of sorts of style through time embracing the evolution of a space as a theme."

Studio Unltd adds: "The centrepiece of the design is an extensive raceway of planters which hang just below the massive skylight openings. The greenery spills from these to fill the voluminous ceiling area. The plants light up in the evenings, while the daylight gives way to interesting shadow play on the perimeter walls reminiscent of Moroccan latticework."

"Patterns of the southern Mediterranean are seen sporadically throughout the space from the flooring details and counter faces of the dining room to the restroom lanterns," adds Studio Unltd. "The primary base tone is white with pops of colour in tile, plaster and furnishings. The colours are also drawn from the coastal Mediterranean, with vibrant turquoise, saffron and turmeric as well as brass highlights.

"Seating diversity is plentiful, with a focus on comfort so diners relax and enjoy whether inside or on the patio. Modern and traditional styles have been blended to find the perfect note and finishing touch to the space."