Wayfarer Cafe
KIDZ transformed Wayfarer Café in Dubai with carefully selected materials and elements, guiding guests through shared spaces, and offering travelers comfort and belonging through a design symbolizing a journey.
Wayfarer is a versatile space for those temporarily away from home. The project creates an atmosphere where every traveler can find warmth, peace, and a sense of belonging within a shared space.
In a city like Dubai, filled with cafes, restaurants, and clubs, there is a lack of places that combine simplicity and quality while remaining accessible to everyone. Wayfarer provides such an opportunity, offering comfort and coziness for everything from business meetings to quiet relaxation.
The name Wayfarer symbolizes that we are all people with different paths, yet united by a common search. The interior of the space reflects this symbolic journey of the traveler: the path begins in the take-away zone, where visitors can make their first stop for a croissant or a choux pastry and a cup of coffee. This represents the first step toward awareness and discovery. A central element is the tree, symbolizing the idea of enlightenment and meaning. The traveler proceeds along seating areas by the windows, where they can pause for leisurely conversation and rest.
The elongated rectangular space is divided into zones, organized along a central axis. To the left of the entrance is seating resembling a terrace by the windows, followed by a deeper space illuminated by soft outdoor lighting, creating the effect of natural light. The main zone with the tree smoothly transitions into a corridor leading to the restrooms, where tall columns and lighting effects create the feeling of a forest and depth.
The finishing materials are carefully selected to highlight the symbolism of the journey, including hand-applied gray plaster, symbolizing the imperfection of each step. The seating area uses light wood to give the space a warm feel, while darker wood creates an area for deep conversations. The take-away zone is designed in warm brown tones, emphasizing the fleeting nature of the stop.
The interior highlights the focus on an orthostatic design, with a guiding line represented by glowing metal pipes. These light lines, starting from the bar counter, lead guests toward the central tree and further along the hall, symbolizing movement and the search. Wayfarer is a space where anyone can find either a brief stop or a place for a slow conversation with a new friend or partner.
Design: KIDZ
Design Team: Ruben Movsisian, Yulia Tsuglenok, Ruslan Maikov, Daniil Savinskiy, Artem Lebedev, Tatyana Kurochkina
Photography: Oculis Project
