Scalla, a luxury Mediterranean restaurant, embraces a design approach centered around permeability and spatial fluidity. Taking its name from the Italian word scala (staircase), the space metaphorically reflects gradation, shifts in perspective, experience, and spatial exploration.
The spatial composition was designed by redefining physical boundaries. Instead of following a rational façade aligned with the column grid, the design team introduced what they call the Glass Curtain, a curvilinear framing system inspired by the undulating forms of the water and shoreline of the Mediterranean coast. This surface transcends the conventional understanding of boundaries, sometimes folding inward and at other times extending outward to serve different functions. Rather than being strictly defined by rigid lines, the perimeter of the space became a breathable, fluid, and flexible shell.
Completing this fluid structure is the centrally positioned bar, which serves as a social anchor and an architectural reference point, visible from different perspectives within the space and guiding user movement. Regardless of their location, visitors can easily navigate the space using the bar as a landmark, ensuring seamless circulation. More than just a service station, the bar was designed as a strong architectural statement, reflecting the restaurant’s identity through lighting, materiality, and formal language.
Urbanjobs’ lead designer Murat Dede describes the experiential journey within the space:
"As users move toward the WC, they first pass in front of the bar and then the kitchen pass-through window before ascending to a higher level, offering a shift in perception. On their way back, they re-engage with the interior before once again encountering the bar, reinforcing spatial continuity. Descending the steps, they first frame the wine cabinet and then, once again, the pass-through window. This deliberate spatial sequencing ensures that the key architectural elements remain imprinted in memory, transforming circulation into a layered experience rather than a mere movement path.”
In the outdoor area, covered by a pergola, curvilinear overhead structures were integrated above the sofas, not only to create a sense of spatial enclosure but also to incorporate lighting and acoustic comfort solutions. A similar structural language was repeated within the interior, where curved separators positioned behind sofas provided spatial depth and definition, extending throughout the space in various materials. The system was constructed using custom aluminum supports clad in copper, complemented by wood, leather, and light-toned marble details, as well as integrated wall sconces. These sconces, in turn, inspired the structural forms of table and floor lamps, reinforcing spatial cohesion. The repetition of these elements—whether in the Glass Curtain façade, flooring patterns, or furniture details—created a seamless visual and functional rhythm.
The metal framework was consistently utilized across different functional zones, from servant stations to back bars, integrated shelving units, and the façade display systems, reinforcing a coherent spatial identity.
The ceiling was conceived as a unifying architectural surface but adapted in response to different spatial needs. In some areas, it was elevated, while in others, structural beams defined transitions. Certain sections were accentuated with woven leather inserts, while lower ceiling heights in specific zones created an intimate, home-like ambiance.
