Patrons sip hot java under sweeping, mud-finished arches at this Riyadh coffee shop, inspired by sacred spaces.

Local studio Azaz Architects created the earthy interior for Saudi Elixir Bunn coffee roasters to evoke sanctity architecture. Its design aims to bring a spiritual element to the experience of coffee drinking and celebrate its long history in Saudi Arabia.

The Riyadh coffee bar has sweeping Islamic arches that fan out from an existing central column, dividing the voluminous space into cosy sections while drawing the eye upwards. They combine shapes, colours and textures of mud-brick Saudi buildings and contrast with a navy helical staircase, which swirls up to the mezzanine.

The clean-lined Riyadh space has fresh-looking white terrazzo flooring and panelling, full-length glass walls and chairs, tables and banquettes in rich wood and brass. Meanwhile, a minimalist black pendant light adds focus to the terrazzo coffee bar while bringing in a further contrasting dark tone.

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