Case Study
Venetian Glamour Meets Maritime Luxury in the Desert.
The Spirit of Liguria, Reimagined in Dubai
Rialto draws its name and mystique from Venice, embracing “vintage charm” and the “flourish of theatrics” inspired by 1950s Italy
Rialto Restaurant & Bar stands as a compelling example of design-driven dining: where architecture, narrative, and culinary artistry converge to transport guests into a cinematic Italian reverie.
AvroKO’s contribution, situated within a broader maritime narrative, excels in creating an immersive, emotionally resonant luxury dining experience.
Brief :
The intent was to create a dining and bar experience that feels both immersive and theatrical, transporting guests into a world where Italian heritage, Venetian elegance, and 1950s design sophistication converge. Rialto had to function as a luxury restaurant in Dubai’s hyper-competitive F&B market, while delivering a layered guest journey that could adapt from day to night.
Design Intent :
Rooted in Venice’s Rialto bridge and piazza culture, the design borrows from Italy’s “golden age of glamour” (1950s–60s) and translates it into Dubai’s luxury dining scene.
Evoke nostalgia and sophistication: warm, cinematic lighting, arches, and rich material palettes designed to feel timeless yet polished.
Encourage guests to feel as if they’ve stepped into a romantic voyage or grand stage, where every detail tells part of the story.
Spatial Design Intent
Arches and curves mimic Venetian architecture and maritime forms (hulls, sails, waves).
Materiality: Marble, woods, turquoise tones, and gold details suggest both Venetian opulence and the shimmer of water.
Layered spaces: The entry is dramatic, dining is cozy-yet-grand, and tableside service enhances the unfolding narrative.
The Bar :
Conceived as an extension of the Italian Brasserie, The Bar channels the golden era of Italian design with clear nods to Carlo Scarpa’s architectural language. Stepped ceilings, layered geometries, and shifting spatial moments create a journey that moves guests from the expansive gallery into a series of more intimate, atmospheric environments.
The use of trompe l’oeil artistry recalls the façades of Ligurian coastal towns, where painted windows, moldings, and geometric motifs blur the line between reality and illusion.
These decorative interventions—particularly the viewing windows at the bar entry, the backbar’s architectural display, and the painted apertures opening onto the Gallery—extend the sense of playful theatricality central to Rialto’s brand.
The Brasserie :
Inspired by the crescent-shaped Ligurian coast of Italy, the Brasserie is defined by a sweeping arched ceiling that anchors the main dining room. The bright, sunlit space reflects the 300 days of sunshine found along the rugged coastline, with colorful seaside architecture serving as inspiration for the deep terracotta and oceanic blue tones woven through the furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
Design Language
Conceived as a venue that seamlessly transitions from day to night, the Brasserie blends casual elegance with upscale refinement. Its organic forms, expressed through architectural details and bespoke FFE, reference the golden age of Italian design in the 1950s, when “Italian Design” became synonymous with international luxury. The work of Italian artist Salvatore Fiume—renowned for his amorphous sculptures—further inspires the Brasserie’s dramatic chandeliers and sculptural details, which add movement and warmth to the dining room.
Experiential Layers
Beyond its aesthetic, the Brasserie was designed as a multi-sensory dining experience:
The Brasserie is a celebration of Italian coastal lifestyle, marrying the warmth and vibrancy of Liguria with the refinement of mid-century Italian design. By integrating layered experiences—wine, cocktails, crudo, and chef’s theatre—the space becomes more than a restaurant: it is a stage for performance, hospitality, and cultural storytelling.
