Arabica Riyadh Roastery Cafe | Ekphrastics
Arabica Riyadh Roastery Cafe by Jun Watanabe

Arabica Riyadh Roastery Cafe

Platinum A' Design Award Winner 2025

No.10's Arabica Roastery Cafe presents a luminous interior sanctuary where pristine architectural geometry converges with refined material restraint to construct an ethereal spatial experience dominated by an expansive palette of cool neutrals ranging from brilliant titanium white through soft warm gray to the palest cream, punctuated strategically by warm cognac leather accents distributed as cushions along a sinuous banquette and the rich amber tones of baked goods visible within illuminated display cases, the composition governed by a sophisticated layering system that establishes multiple spatial zones through transparent and translucent vertical planes including floor-to-ceiling glass partitions framing discrete seating alcoves in the upper register where slender brass pendant fixtures descend on elongated stems to hover above minimalist white tables paired with sculptural bentwood chairs whose triangular silhouettes echo throughout the space creating visual rhythm, the architectural armature reveals a classical bilateral symmetry along the central axis yet achieves dynamic asymmetry through the sweeping curved banquette occupying the lower left foreground whose continuous ribbon form guides circulation and establishes visual flow from immediate proximity toward the service counter positioned in the middle distance at right, the chromatic strategy maintains almost monastic discipline with the dominant white surfaces functioning as both literal and metaphorical tabula rasa reflecting and amplifying the carefully calibrated lighting while the cognac leather introduces necessary warmth preventing clinical sterility, illumination originates from multiple integrated sources including recessed ceiling fixtures creating ambient wash, the brass pendants providing task lighting with soft pools of focused illumination, and critically the edge-lit vertical glass partitions which glow with cool white luminescence transforming structural elements into light-emitting surfaces that dematerialize solid boundaries, spatial depth construction employs overlapping translucent planes that segment space without complete division allowing visual penetration through layered transparency while the perspectival system follows approximate two-point linear perspective with horizontal lines converging toward dual vanishing points beyond the frame edges, textural variation remains deliberately minimal with the prevalence of smooth matte surfaces on walls and ceiling contrasted against the subtle grain visible in the leather upholstery and the organic irregularity of artisanal bread loaves, edge treatment favors crisp definition with hard edges dominating the architectural vocabulary establishing clean geometric boundaries yet softened passages occur where diffused lighting creates gradual luminous transitions, the stylistic coordinates suggest contemporary minimalism inflected with subtle nods to Scandinavian design principles through the emphasis on natural light manipulation, functional clarity, material honesty, and restrained color application, while the spatial planning and volumetric composition demonstrate affinities with Japanese ma concept through the deliberate orchestration of emptiness and the intervals between elements, the overall atmospheric register emanates serene contemplation with the hushed quality of a secular sanctuary designed for focused rituals of coffee appreciation, the space arrests the quotidian rush of commercial transaction transforming caffeine procurement into meditative experience through environmental control that slows perception and heightens sensory attention to material, light, proportion, and the subtle ceremonies of preparation visible through transparent barriers separating front-of-house from production zones.

This theater style cafe has a huge roasting machine, allowing visitors to enjoy the story of how coffee is made. The show's star, the roasting machine, is placed on a stage at the back of the store. A bean cellar, the symbol of Arabica, surrounds the back and enlivens the starring role. A kitchen counter is placed at the position of the orchestra pit, and the atrium above it allows the pleasant sound of the baristas to echo throughout the store. Sheer curtains are installed as partitions in the box seats, to accommodate Saudis concerned about the distance between men and women.