Portobella Symphony Función Principal: Restaurante by Aysel Mahmudlu

Portobella Symphony Función Principal: Restaurante by Aysel Mahmudlu is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award de Plata in Diseño de Espacios Interiores y Exposiciones Competition Category.

PlataInterior· 2026

Portobella Symphony Función Principal: Restaurante

by Aysel Mahmudlu

Client: Restaurant Project-Portobella

A' Design Award de Plata Winner in Interior Category

17,775
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #176781

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Portobella Symphony Función Principal: Restaurante

Texto del Libro: Este proyecto presenta una combinación poco común de techos de estuco hechos a mano que cubren todo el espacio y un concepto de cocina abierta que aporta transparencia y teatralidad a la experiencia gastronómica. Cada ornamento del techo y detalle de las columnas fue esculpido por artesanos, otorgando al restaurante una cualidad museística. Junto con las lámparas de araña de cristal, las paredes en tonos pastel y el mobiliario a medida, el diseño fusiona la grandeza clásica con la hospitalidad moderna, creando una atmósfera refinada pero acogedora.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Plata

Portobella Symphony Función Principal: Restaurante ha ganado el A' Design Award de Plata, un reconocimiento extraordinariamente prestigioso concedido a diseños de gama alta, magníficos e impresionantes. Los ganadores de Plata son obras tremendamente brillantes y sumamente creativas que ilustran la destacada experiencia, el talento y la agudeza de sus diseñadores. Se espera que Portobella Symphony Función Principal: Restaurante sea una obra maravillosa y emblemática, notablemente profesional y profundamente innovadora. Este diseño ganador del A' Design Award de Plata es una invención muy notable y admirada que beneficia y hace avanzar las fronteras del arte, la ciencia, el diseño y la tecnología. Portobella Symphony Función Principal: Restaurante es una creación enormemente envidiada que evoca deseos, aporta sentimientos positivos y despierta asombro y admiración.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The project combines hand-crafted stucco ceilings extending across the entire space with an open kitchen concept that introduces transparency and a sense of performance. Each ceiling ornament and column detail was sculpted by artisans, highlighting cultural heritage. Crystal chandeliers, pastel-toned walls, and custom-made furniture establish a dialogue between classical references and contemporary hospitality, resulting in a refined environment with a welcoming character.
Dimensions & Packaging: The restaurant covers 800 sq. meters with a ceiling height of 7.5 meters. Floors feature wood-imitation ceramic tiles, complemented by hand-crafted stucco moldings and a custom staircase with brass accents. An open kitchen fosters transparency, while acoustic adjustments ensure comfort in the double-height space.
Tags: Luxury Restaurant Interior, Handcrafted Stucco Ceiling, Bespoke chandeliers, open kitchen dining, European elegance, cultural heritage design, contemporary luxury, architectural molding, fine dining experience, Baku design landmark,Azerbaijan restaurant
Production Technology: The project features hand-crafted stucco moldings for ceilings and columns, decorative plaster wall finishes, and ceramic tiles imitating wood for durability in a high-traffic space. Marble-effect porcelain defines key surfaces, while bespoke metalwork with brass accents shapes staircases and railings. Custom lighting fixtures highlight details and enhance atmosphere.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was to reinterpret traditional stucco and molding techniques within a contemporary restaurant setting, balancing artisanal craftsmanship with modern construction standards for durability, acoustics, and functionality. Another difficulty involved integrating an open kitchen into a refined dining hall while coordinating large-scale custom ceilings executed entirely by hand.
Research: The project draws on research into European palatial interiors and the tradition of handcrafted stucco. Historical molding techniques were reinterpreted with modern materials to ensure durability while retaining artisanal character. The design integrates cultural heritage with contemporary hospitality, creating a multisensory environment where tradition meets modernlifestyle.
Inspiration: The design draws inspiration from European palaces and the tradition of artisan craftsmanship. It revives hand-crafted stucco work within a contemporary restaurant setting, while incorporating an open kitchen to emphasize transparency and interaction between chef and guest. The project aims to create a cultural dining space where heritage and modern lifestyle converge.
Project Duration: The project was conceived in 2021 and completed in 2022 in Baku, Azerbaijan, establishing a restaurant that blends European influences with the city’s dining culture.
Operation Flow: The open kitchen reveals the cooking process, reinforcing transparency and trust. The layout supports smooth circulation, while coordinated colors, textures, and lighting guide guests intuitively through the space. The design balances hospitality and efficiency to enhance interaction.
Team Members: Aysel Mahmudlu, Lead Designer and Creative Director, Azul Bureau
Image Credits: Photographer: Akbarov Eldar
Interior Design: Azul Bureau, Aysel Mahmudlu
Project Direction: Aysel Mahmudlu