Como Lounge Cafe
COMO LOUNGE CAFE
S.da
ARCHITECTS
S.da
LEAD ARCHITECT
Duaa Abukhalaf
ARCHITECT
Humaiz Raafi
3 D VISUALIZATION
Kostya Busargin
LIGHTING SUPPLIER
Huda Lighting
DRAFTSMAN
Tahir Baloch
MANUFACTURERS
&Tradition, DGA, MIRAGE, Tacchini
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Dc Luce Studio
PHOTOGRAPHS
Aylul Studio
AREA
178 m²
YEAR
2025
LOCATION
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
CATEGORY
Coffee Shop
English description provided by the architects.
Como Lounge Café is the brand's first branch in Dubai and its second location outside its hometown of Al Ain.
The new branch carries a clear reference to its origins, guiding a design approach that pays subtle tribute to the natural landscapes of Al Ain, reinterpreted through an abstract, contemporary language fit for its urban Dubai setting.
The design draws from the raw qualities of nature, expressed through tactile materials and forms inspired by the landscape.
A continuous wall wraps through the space, acting as a unifying element within the interior.
Referred to as the "datum wall," this surface serves as a backdrop for the key elements of the café.
It is finished with rough-textured tiles made from recycled glass and porcelain, offering a distinct surface that contrasts with more refined, industrial treatments such as brushed stainless steel.
This contrast between warm, unpolished finishes and cooler, sleek materials establishes the tone of the interior palette.
A sculptural coffee counter anchors the space, functioning as both the operational core and a visual statement.
Its composition references the idea of balancing stones in nature, with solid marble volumes supporting polished stainless steel forms arranged in a deliberate yet seemingly weightless configuration.
The counter is slightly lifted off the ground, enhancing its monolithic quality while adding a sense of lightness.
Suspended above, a custom stainless steel canopy mirrors this composition, softly reflecting light and motion, and reinforcing the dialogue between heaviness and elevation.
Several custom-made elements were developed specifically for this branch, including the flooring, which features a site-specific design composed of cut stone elements combined with cast terrazzo, forming a subtle pattern that ties into the spatial rhythm of the interior.
Material transitions throughout the space are treated with consistency and precision. The recycled tile walls introduce depth and tactility, while the muted floor tones ground the overall palette.
Wood accents in the chairs sit alongside stainless steel tables, creating a quiet balance between warmth and coolness. Every detail has been intentionally crafted to echo the brand's character and the landscape that inspired it, resulting in a calm, cohesive space rooted in its origins.
