AAP's café in kuwait references traditional dallah coffee pots

AAP’s café in kuwait city references traditional dallah coffee pots
all images by joão morgado

‘dallah’ is a traditional pot used to brew and serve a type of coffee particular to the gulf and arabian peninsula. the vessel in which it is prepared takes on a unique and delicate form — the spherical form tapers in at the center, thus highlighting the bulging base and elongated top. in kuwait city, associated architects partnership (AAP) were asked to develop a location that provided a warm and welcoming experience for those sharing a cup of coffee. the store’s spatial organization is governed by three main design elements: the floating canopy, the display layout, and the functional sidewalls.

the coffee shop is located in kuwait city

an asymmetrical arched form has been designed to accentuate the heart of the shop, while defining the entry experience. the arch provides shelter and shade externally, before continuing as a more fluid form internally — thus lending the scheme a sense of continuity. internally, a dual display and service counter layout is adopted. located at the entry of the shop, one bar acts as a vitrine that shows curated wares to the street, and at the same time acts as a buffer zone. the other counter is placed opposite and serves as a focal point that draws people inside. together, both surfaces define the interior layout with a round table placed at the center of the volume.

an arch provides shelter and shade externally

distinctive sidewalls form a prominent feature of the shop’s interior. while one partition acts as a space for storage or display, the other references the geometric ornamentation found on traditional dallah coffee pots. the chosen materials represent both the color scheme of the brand and the pragmatism seen in the local convenience stores of past eras: green terrazzo flooring, white marble counter tops, and wooden floor-to-ceiling shelving.

the arch continues as a more fluid form internally

located near to the entrance, one bar acts as a vitrine

white marble counter tops have been employed

walls reference the geometric ornamentation found on traditional dallah coffee pots

the opposite wall serves as a space for storage

a communal table is placed at the center of the volume

the shop’s entrance

the scheme has been designed with a nod to local convenience stores

 the location seeks to provide a warm and welcoming experience