Kuuru
Client: Leylaty Group
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Date: March 2024
Cuisine: Nikkei
Add: ........
Kuuru is a Japanese Peruvian concept that embodies an elevated casual atmosphere and is truly unique to the Saudi Arabian market. Kuuru’s aesthetics and the F&B offering have formed a unique and dynamic causal Nikkei concept that blends both cultures innovatively.
Tapasake
Location
Dubai, UAE
Industry
Hospitality & F&B
Client
Repositioning an existing venue through design and operations to match its intended use.
Tapasake Dubai is located at One Za’abeel and forms part of a collaboration with Sunset Hospitality. The project involved renovating and rebranding a recently opened space that had not been designed to perform effectively, with the goal of establishing a clearer identity and improving how the venue operates as a pool and dining destination.
The challenge
Correcting the limitations of an existing space while introducing a new brand direction.
The venue had already been built and opened, but its layout and functionality did not support the intended guest experience or operational needs. At the same time, the project required implementing a broader rebrand for Tapasake, meaning the design had to address both physical constraints and conceptual repositioning. The risk was making changes that improved appearance without resolving the underlying issues in how the space worked.
The APPROACH
Prioritising spatial reorganisation and brand alignment within the constraints of the existing structure.
Rather than focusing only on aesthetic updates, the project began by analysing how the space was being used and where it was underperforming. This informed decisions around enclosure, circulation and zoning, allowing the design to introduce clearer functions and improve usability while aligning with updated brand standards.
HOW DID WE STRATEGIZE A PLACE THAT WORKS?
Operational Correction
The redesign addresses functional gaps in the original layout, improving how the venue operates day to day.
Capacity Increase
Multi-level seating and reconfiguration allow for higher occupancy without compromising comfort or access.
Brand Alignment
The updated spatial and material language supports a consistent Tapasake identity across current and future locations.
THE RESULT
The venue now operates with a clearer structure and a defined identity that aligns with the Tapasake brand.
We established a standard for how existing spaces can be adapted to meet both operational requirements and evolving brand direction without rebuilding from scratch.
