Portobella Symphony Primary Function: Wharekai by Aysel Mahmudlu

Portobella Symphony Primary Function: Wharekai by Aysel Mahmudlu is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Hiriwa in Hoahoa Roto Whare me te Whakaaturanga Competition Category.

HiriwaRoto Whare· 2026

Portobella Symphony Primary Function: Wharekai

by Aysel Mahmudlu

Client: Restaurant Project-Portobella

A' Design Award Hiriwa Winner in Roto Whare Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Portobella Symphony Primary Function: Wharekai

Book Text: He mea ongeonge tēnei kaupapa i te whakakotahitanga o ngā tuanui takawari i mahia-ā-ringatia e whakauhi ana i te wāhi katoa me te ariā kīhini tuwhera e kawe mai ana i te pūataata me te whakaari ki te kai. I whakairohia ia whakapaipai tuanui me ngā taipitopito pou e ngā tohunga toi, e tuku ana ki te wharekai he āhua rite ki te whare taonga. Tahi ai ki ngā raiti tarahae karaihe, ngā pakitara tae māmā, me ngā taonga o roto i hangaia motuhaketia, ka honoa e te hoahoa te kōrangaranga puāwaitanga tawhito ki te manaakitanga hou, e waihanga ana i tētahi āhuahanga mātātoa engari e manaaki tonu ana.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Hiriwa

Ko Portobella Symphony Primary Function: Wharekai te toa o te A' Design Award Hiriwa, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa taumata teitei rawa, ātaahua me te whakamīharo. Ko ngā toa Hiriwa he mahi tino kanapa, tino auaha e whakaatu ana i te mātanga, te pūmanawa me te mōhio hōhonu o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Portobella Symphony Primary Function: Wharekai he mahi whakamīharo, he tauira, he tino ngaio, he auaha hōhonu. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Hiriwa he hanganga rongonui, whakamīharotia e whai wāhi ana ki te whakawhānui i ngā rohe o te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau. Ko Portobella Symphony Primary Function: Wharekai he mahi e hae ana te tini, e whakaara ana i ngā hiahia, e kawe mai ana i ngā kare-ā-roto pai, ā, e whakaoho ana i te mīharo.

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