Etienne Bastormagi references baking process for interior of Alica boulangerie

Designer Etienne Bastormagi looked to the "natural tones found in baking" when creating the colour palette for the Alica bakery in Dubai, which also features stainless steel in a nod to the tools used in breadmaking.

Located in Dubai's Port de la Mer area, the bakery and restaurant sources its ingredients locally and has a farm-to-table philosophy that informed Bastormagi's design of the 180-square-metre space.

"Rather than relying on a predetermined aesthetic, the project engages with regional artists and designers, using commissioned works to create a space that is both visually compelling and deeply connected to its cultural and material context," Bastormagi told Dezeen.

"The goal was to foster a dialogue about craft and local identity."

Bastormagi used a variety of different materials for the store's interior, including warm wood and stainless steel. Rice paper lamps and leather chairs add to the cafe's tactile feel.

"Wood adds warmth and a sense of grounding, while paper and leather enhance tactility, echoing the handmade nature of baking," the designer said.

For the bakery's lighting, Bastormagi chose organically shaped rice lamps in different shapes and sizes, clustered together to form eye-catching focal points.

He also worked with French-Lebanese studio Post Industrial Crafts to create the Super Simple Lamps – custom-made sconce lights and suspended lighting designed for Alica in green-and-yellow and nude-and-grey hues.

These were made from 100 per cent recycled plastic and 3D-printed using a large-arm robot.

"[The] recycled 3D-printed plastic in the lighting design underscores the project's commitment to sustainability and innovation," Bastormagi said.

The wood used for much of the interior adds to its colour palette of tan, beige and yellow hues, chosen because they nod to the process of baking.

"The colour palette takes cues from the natural tones found in baking – warm, earthy hues reminiscent of flour, grain and firewood," Bastormagi explained.

"These soft, muted shades create a welcoming and organic atmosphere, reinforcing the farm-to-table ethos."

To contrast the organic materials, the designer added stainless steel that references the more practical side of the baking process.

"The addition of stainless steel bridges the front-of-house with the kitchen, subtly referencing the professional tools and surfaces used in the baking process," Bastormagi said.

"This balance between warmth and industrial precision reflects the intersection of craft and function at the heart of Alica."

Large paintings by Lebanese artist Ahmed Amer decorate the bakery's walls. These showcase "the beauty of harvesting grains and the passion behind organic growth", according to Amer, and were painted on recycled paper.

Bastormagi's studio also created custom-made furniture for the interior, which the studio hopes will underline the bakery's dedication to craftsmanship.

"Craftsmanship is at the core of the concept, not only in the way materials are used but in the way regional artists and designers were directly engaged to shape the space," the designer concluded.

"Rather than selecting off-the-shelf pieces, the project features custom commissions and handcrafted elements, from bespoke benches and lightweight concrete pots to lighting, tables, and chairs."

Other bakeries recently featured on Dezeen include a "frank and efficient" Berlin bakery and a mobile bakery in China made from grain sacks.

The photography is by Alessandro Fagioli. 

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