Masquespacio Dazzles with the Interior Design of the 8 Portions Restaurant in Riyadh

Masquespacio, a Spanish design studio known for its innovative creations, reinterprets the Italian dining experience with the interior design of 8 Portions. This new 300 m² restaurant, which fuses Italian gastronomic tradition with the local flavors of Saudi Arabia, becomes an urban oasis where aesthetics and culinary experience intertwine.

For this project, which opened in March of this year, they sought to transcend the clichés of Italian restaurants by incorporating elements that reflect the essence of Riyadh without falling into literal representations. Inspired by the beauty of the desert, characteristic shapes and textures were reinterpreted, transforming architectural elements such as pillars, stairs, and ceilings into sculptures that define the space.

The neutral and earthy color palette evokes the dunes and rocks of the biome, while the carefully designed lighting recreates the magic of the golden hour, bathing the space in warm, sophisticated light. This golden tone, the undisputed focal point of the design, is reflected in the metallic finishes of the elements, creating an enveloping and sophisticated atmosphere that invites exploration.

Based in Valencia, Masquespacio is a multidisciplinary design studio founded in 2010 by Ana Milena Hernández Palacios and Christophe Penasse. Over the past decade, they have built a reputation for unique creativity with their unconventional yet very contemporary interior design. They have received numerous international awards such as the "Best Restaurant Kyoto Design Awards" in 2023 or the "Best Middle East & Africa Restaurant 2022" for the MO bakery house / espresso bar in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, or the "Interior Designers of The Year” in 2019, from T Magazine.

Their unique approach has also earned them a diverse clientele from all over the world, with projects in various countries, such as Norway, Colombia, France, Italy, Qatar and the United States, among others.  Among their latest projects are a techno gym in Salzburg, Austria, and a pastel-colored beauty salon in Milan.