Valencia-based interior design studio Masquespacio has created vivid interiors layered with colors, metallic finishes and water-inspired elements for a bakery and an espresso bar in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. 

Called MO Bakery, the 400-square-metre space is the studio's first project designed for MO, a bakehouse, espresso bar in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. 

The clients, whose names are Omar and Asim from RightGrain, an experience-based company, commissioned Masquespacio for the first time to create a special concept different from the traditional layouts.

They wanted to see a project that would stand-out from the product and the communication, while the interior design representing the concept of the project, a community-driven, highly engaging brand and elevating the overall experience.

"It was clear from the beginning that Omar and Asim were ready to challenge us and we were ready to challenge them," said Christophe Penasse, co-founder Masquespacio.

"The first point to be highlighted during the initial conversations was that the main attraction from MO would be the baked goods, presented in the space as jewels with authentic and renewable flavors," said Masquespacio. 

Based on these conversations, the studio started to develop a concept based on water which creates magic and life, but it is also the base of any bakery. 

According to studio, the water element had a feature that could distort reality and change our perspective, which would be the perfect matching point with MO’s design approach to elevate design in a different level. 

The space is divided in three different parts in which each presents a phase in the process of making baked goods and coffee with water as the main ingredient. The studio calls this space as the “liquid state”, where the dough is mixed with water and which makes the connection point of all the different areas of MO’s interior.  

In the bar zone the studio adds a huge waterfall that is recreated to be the central point of the space. The bar is made to be reasy with its delicious products for sale. 

"The waterfall was created by sandblasting each tube to create the illusion shape of water and frosting feeling of what is beyond," added the studio. 

Another part is the "solid state" or "ice area" designed in front of the bar, where a huge series of lamps that represent ice - which becomes the main attraction point.

On the other hand, next to it customers can see some gigantic bulbs showcasing the “gaseous state” as a series of fire bulbs to represent the moment when the pastry is baked in the oven. 

Layers, colors, materials and emotions are intertwined in variations that takes customers to different journeys. 

Inside, the studio creates customized furniture pieces for the project, offering different seating options to create different experiences for the visitors from low lounge seating and shared tables to high stools and semi-private couple seating. 

A grey and white color palette dominates the space, while metallic finishes are used for the tables and fabrics to generate reflections that create the distortion that could be made by water.

On the other hand, the lighting incorporates fully controllable RGB-lighting to set the moods that could convert the space in a different status, being able to represent the overall "different space" within a space, in campaigns, engagements or talks, which is also extended by the reflections of the space in chrome fabrics, tables and spheres creating another level of optical fusion.

"Mo is a parallel universe. A space where all aspects has been touched by the unknown, the food, the drinks and the interior," said Asim Al Harthi co-founder of Mo.

"With the huge mirror on the ceiling raised 10 meters from ground representing a gate to another world. A reflection of reality and a portal to surrealism," Al Harthi added.

According to the studio, this space is not solid, it is interchangeable and dynamic following what the brand has to say. It says "Welcome to the new mood branding."

Floor plan

Masquespacio designed cave-like corners dressed with different hues of pink and brown in this restaurant in Valencia, Spain. The studio also designed interiors for a hamburger restaurant with vivid colors in Milan, Italy.

Masquespacio is an award-winning creative consultancy created in 2010 by Ana Milena Hernández Palacios and Christophe Penasse. 

Combining the two disciplines of their founders, interior design and marketing, the studio creates branding and interior projects through a unique approach that results in fresh and innovative concepts rewarded with a continued international recognition by media specialized in design, fashion and lifestyle trends.

Masquespacio is currently working on different projects in Spain, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, Germany, Qatar, Italy, France, USA & Austria.  

Project facts

Project name: MO Bakery

Architects: Masquespacio

Location: Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

Size: 400 m2

Client: Rightgrain 

All images and drawings courtesy of Masquespacio.

> via Masquespacio

bakery Masquespacio