RAW Design Wins “Best Restaurant Project of the Year” with Kraken at Architecture Leaders Awards 2025

RAW Design is proud to announce a major milestone in our journey: Kraken, our bold and immersive restaurant concept, has been awarded Best Restaurant Project of the Year at the prestigious Architecture Leaders Awards 2025, hosted by Design Middle East.

This recognition is more than a win—it is a celebration of hospitality architecture that dares to blend design with storytelling, atmosphere with intention, and mood with mastery.

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About the Architecture Leaders Awards 2025

The Architecture Leaders Awards is one of the region’s most respected events, spotlighting trailblazing projects and practices that are shaping the future of design and architecture in the Middle East.

Presented by Design Middle East, the 2025 edition saw a diverse field of standout work across residential, commercial, and hospitality categories. A jury of seasoned industry professionals evaluated projects based on innovation, functionality, sustainability, and creative vision.

To receive the title of Best Restaurant Project 2025 is a testament to RAW Design’s ability to redefine experiential dining spaces.

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Introducing Kraken: A Culinary Experience in Design

From the very beginning, Kraken was imagined as more than just a restaurant — it is a spatial narrative. Inspired by the depth and theatricality of the ocean, the design concept mirrors the layered storytelling of fine cuisine with a visual and emotional journey.

Every curve, surface, and shadow were designed to immerse. The spatial flow subtly draws guests from the dramatic entry into more intimate, dimly lit zones. Carefully curated lighting simulates an underwater ambiance, while bespoke furniture and material finishes elevate comfort and intrigue.

Designed in close collaboration with visionary restaurateur Badr Benyrane of Monarch Hospitality Group and Michelin-lauded Chef Grégoire Berger, Kraken reflects a meeting point of bold gastronomy and architectural imagination.

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What Sets Kraken Apart

Designing Kraken meant solving for both aesthetics and acoustics, drama and intimacy. One of the core challenges was to match the culinary narrative with an equally expressive environment—without overwhelming it.

What makes Kraken an award-winning restaurant design is its:

• Sculptural Material Palette: From textured concrete walls to fluid metallic surfaces that mimic wave patterns
• Adaptive Lighting: Scene-based lighting systems that shift across service periods
• Custom Seating and Partitions: Designed for sensory privacy and visual rhythm
• Environmental Sensitivity: Locally sourced materials, energy-efficient systems, and low-waste design detailing
  
  
  

“With Kraken, the goal was to design a space that doesn't compete with the cuisine — it complements it. Every element was crafted to echo the rhythm, restraint, and richness of the dining experience,” says Ranjit Prasad, Founder & Principal Architect at RAW Design.

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RAW Design’s Vision in Hospitality Architecture

At RAW, we view hospitality architecture as an art form — one where form follows feeling.

With a strong portfolio of F&B and lifestyle concepts, our studio is driven by the belief that the most memorable spaces are those that tap into human emotion. From concept to construction, we design atmospheres that leave lasting impressions.

Kraken exemplifies this ethos — where vision, collaboration, and craft converge to create an extraordinary dining experience.

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Future-forward Thinking in Restaurant Design

Kraken is a forward-thinking response to how diners engage with space today. It anticipates trends in:

• Sensorial immersion
• Multi-functional layouts
• Sustainability in luxury settings
• Tech-integrated ambience control

As RAW Design continues to evolve, we remain committed to shaping hospitality spaces that are thoughtful, expressive, and emotionally intelligent.