The Potential of 3D Printing in Restaurant Design

The world’s largest 3D-printed restaurant interior design structure (volume) recently debuted at MYATA Platinum Lounge, a hookah lounge with a restaurant and bar in the C2 Licensed District in Dubai's City Walk. This aligns with the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, which aims for 25. percent of Dubai’s buildings to be constructed using 3D printing technology by 2030. Working with London-based DA Bureau team, the features include:

•  27 unique canyons made from over 20,000 3D-printed parts created  out of recycled plastic and coated them with texture paint.
• The design transforms recycled plastic into dramatic canyon-like formations, creating an immersive environment that transports visitors from Dubai's bustling metropolis to a serene, cave-like sanctuary. 
• The canyon entrance uses the funnel principle, narrowing to draw visitors from the street into the lounge. Entering the main lounge feels like entering a cave: through dark passages, one arrives at an ample open area space.
• The lounge boasts innovative lighting that enhances the sensory experience. The main technique combines art effects, illuminating hookah steam and creating a hypnotic halo in certain areas.

“We created MYATA Platinum as a space where guests don’t just dine — they engage, relax, and celebrate life,” said Ilyas Valiullin, MYATA’s founder. “It’s an intersection of design, technology, and hospitality, offering a fully customised experience for everyone.”

The project highlights Da Bureau's commitment to innovative design solutions that are environmentally responsible and sustainable, said Boris Lvovsky, CEO and co-founder. To learn more about the process of using 3D printing in restaurant design, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine reached out to Lvovsky.

How did this project come about, and what was the process?

The MYATA team contacted us to create a unique brand launch in the UAE market’s highly competitive restaurant industry, featuring a product that is both well-known and valued here. Essentially, we required an idea that tells a story on its own. We contemplated the natural canyons, which have provided shelter from the heat for centuries, noting their unique shapes and colours. However, this idea needed to be executed thoughtfully, as simply replicating the canyons within the building would be rather crude. We began searching for a material that would embody nature without directly imitating it—wood, marble, glass, cork—all proved viable, but ultimately, 3D printing technology emerged as the solution that met all our needs. With its capabilities, we could create any shape and colour, designing the cool canyon's so-called amorphous walls. 

The next challenge was printing everything—the printers operated continuously for three months, followed by assembling all 20,000 parts (which contain not a single right angle) into a cohesive structure, considering lighting, service stations, glass, and so forth. Sand and a special paint coating were also applied to each component beforehand. A standout feature is the lighting, arranged so that the smoke released forms a unique pattern every time. In total, we mirrored nature without outright copying it.

What are the benefits of 3D-printed items for a restaurant?

First of all, sustainability—the 3D-printed "canyons" were formed from recycled plastic, demonstrating a commitment to using sustainable materials and minimising waste. This showcases the potential of 3D printing to create significant, complex architectural elements more efficiently and with less waste than traditional construction methods.

Secondly, the 3D printing method in this project expresses an idea. In our other projects, we utilise the same marble, wood, textiles, or steel to convey a different narrative about a place and to produce distinct items. The most unique feature of this 3D method is its polymorphism, adaptability, and ability to take any shape. Specifically, in MYATA, these relate to conceptual interior tasks, but the technique could also relate to the product design of small custom gizmos that may be part of a service.

What are the challenges of using 3D-printed technology for restaurant projects?

In my view, an architect always has two tasks: to create a sense of comfort—sustained by the ergonomics and logistics of the space—and to capture interest, which pertains to the visual aspect. Consequently, in hospitality design, any material must serve these dual purposes. The challenge lies in employing a progressive approach that does not compromise the essentials: the venue's product, service, and overall concept.