Terra Cafe in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by Bone Studio.

In a city like Dubai, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the dazzling high-rise glass-clad buildings and complex cityscape. Bone Studio’s newest hospitality venture ‘Terra’ is designed to contrast with this urban environment. Raw materials and plenty of natural elements act as a calm respite from the frenetic surroundings.

Terra embodies a timeless eatery, where traditional construction and application techniques evoke a homelike and hospitable experience. Aware of the busy and loud surroundings, Bone aimed to create a retreat from the buzzing city.

For Bone, creating a sheltering atmosphere was imperative. The interior space is reminiscent of a courtyard. The lush garden envelopes the shop and acts as a natural barrier from the surrounding streets while sheltering its inhabitants in the grounded terrace. Interwoven amongst the interior space, the greenery allows guests to enjoy a private moment during their dining experience. Five- meter-high pivoting glass doors welcome visitors to the interior dining space from all three facades. The shop faces the east, allowing sharp rays of sunlight to penetrate through the clear glass doors during the brisk hours of the day. The sunlight also exposes the hues and undulations of the clay walls and uneven surfaces of the terracotta tiles.

A slot punctuates the cacao walls and frames the hand-hammered column at the centre of the space. The tailor-made kitchen displays the talent that prevails behind the Mediterranean cuisine and allows guests to enjoy the culinary energy. All equipment is integrated, producing a refined working space with seamless counters.

With a strong desire to blend architecture and craftsmanship, Bone worked alongside several talented specialists that helped compose the space. The raw earth surfaces emulate different colours that are natural and pigment free. Clays from different parts of Italy have been sourced by Matteo Brioni, who developed the traditional raw earth surface finish that is healthy, hypoallergenic, versatile, and sinuously adaptable to any surface. Matteo’s brothers, who own Fornace Brioni, have also collaborated with Bone to compose the terracotta floor tiles that grace the space with their imperfections and artisanal craft.

The earthy materiality and hues of Terra play an essential role in the intimate feel of the space as the monochromatic palette soothes the brutalist forms. Warm materials were considered, such as reclaimed and weathered woods, linen fabrics, smoked metals, as well as handmade ceramics. The strategically arranged projector and spotlights lay emphasis on the romantic atmosphere and the different textures and tones of the space.

Blurring the threshold between form and function, Bone Studio has created a layered and enveloping space that embodies warmth through its natural elements. A welcome place to take a breather in a city more known for its lavishly built environment and glittering skyline.

Related: Bone StudioLa Petite Cafe in Abu Dhabi by Bone Studio.

[Images courtesy of Bone Studio. Photography by Oculis Project.]