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Babaji Restaurant

Internationally acclaimed, Istanbul-­‐based design studio, Autoban has designed renowned restaurateur Alan Yau’s latest London restaurant, Babaji.

The restaurant focuses on Turkish cuisine and Babaji’s signature dish is ‘pide’ – Turkish pizza made with leavened dough that is flattened by hand to give a unique shape and texture that comes with a variety of toppings. Yau has applied his contemporary global perspective to traditional Turkish recipes to create an exciting new dining experience.

Stepping into Babaji, diners are immediately transported from London’s vibrant Shaftesbury Avenue into contemporary Turkey. As with Yau’s approach to the menu, Autoban’s design concept was inspired by traditional Turkish design, and the materials that have been used within the restaurant showcase Turkey’s artisan culture and almost forgotten craft techniques. A dominant feature of Babaji’s interior is vivid blue ceramic tiles that have been designed by Autoban to cover the interior space. Inspired by the veins of Marmara marble, Autoban created a patterned texture on the surface of the tiles.

This texture, and the application of the tiles onto the walls, reflects both Turkish style and the dynamism of London’s Soho neighbourhood. Interwoven patterns and geometric designs have a rich heritage in Turkish culture but for Babaji Autoban have adopted a contemporary approach and developed a series of brand new patterns.

Traditional Turkish Iznik tiles are also incorporated into the tiled surface, and Iznik patterns are also used on some of the soft furnishings. The tiles were handmade by craftsmen in Istanbul, one of the few remaining ateliers left in Turkey that produce handmade ceramic tiles. As Babaji is housed within a late 19th Century historic brick building, the exterior has been kept simple, blending in with the building façade as well as its lively Soho surroundings.

The texture of the restaurant façade has been attained by plastering and painting over a metal structure, resulting in a naturally weathered surface. The vivid blue tiles that dominate the interior of the restaurant are dramatically revealed through large glass windows, drawing diners inside. Autoban designed much of the furniture exclusively for Babaji, with some additional signature pieces from the studio’s existing furniture collections. Although the furniture has a sense of simplicity there is also a richness and attention to detail in each piece, such as the inlaid brass detailing in the wood banquette seating and tabletops.

Brass inlays are found in traditional Turkish culture, and Autoban has applied a contemporary dotted design to the Babaji pieces. These inlaid brass patterns have been placed on the back of the banquettes, making this striking design feature visible from the outside of the restaurant.

Babaji sits on three levels. The ground floor includes the large stone Pide oven, allowing diners to see pizzas being freshly baked, with chefs pulling out the long breads from the furnace with their wooden peels. The oven is an innovative interpretation of traditional Turkish pide ovens with a cylinder form, where the hood is hidden underneath the dome. The rest of the ground floor is designed around this all-­‐white oven, which pops out from its blue ceramic tiled background. There is a larger dining area on the first floor and a kitchen and smaller dining area in the basement.

Babaji Restaurant

Details

  • London, UK
  • Autoban