KOI Restaurant at Dubai Mall by Algedra
KOI Restaurant is located on New China Avenue in Dubai Mall, completed in 2025. Shaped by Algedra with a strong focus on curved geometry, warm surfaces and a calm dining rhythm. The design direction uses the koi fish as its conceptual foundation. Known for steady movement and symbolic resilience, the koi guides the flow of the space. Every transition inside the restaurant follows that sense of fluid motion. Cream walls, walnut textures and soft brightness build a composed entrance that opens into a smooth and welcoming dining hall.
The plan centers around a circular bar framed by vertical wood elements and marked with the KOI emblem. This bar acts as the primary orientation point inside the restaurant. Right beside it, the circular aquarium introduces the symbolic presence of the koi fish in a physical form. The movement of the fish creates a natural moment of pause as guests move through the space. Seating layouts avoid rigid divisions, allowing the restaurant to feel open while still giving diners comfort.
Design
The design continues with polished marble floors, textured wall panels, copper accents and walnut-toned surfaces. These materials create warmth without overwhelming the visual field. Lighting follows the structure rather than fighting it. Stronger illumination highlights the bar and aquarium while softer downward lighting shapes the dining zones. The upper level reflects the same palette and curved outlines while offering a quieter seating zone with a view toward the central bar.
Every decision supports KOI’s identity: rounded movement lines, natural rhythm, warm textures and steady transitions. Even ceiling patterns follow these curves, reinforcing the softness and flow that define the project.
KOI Symbolism in the Interior
The koi fish is central to both concept and atmosphere. Known for moving through water with a consistent pace, the koi becomes a metaphor for how guests move inside KOI Restaurant. The circular aquarium is placed intentionally, not only as decoration but as an anchor that shapes the guest journey. Lighting around it softens the edges and enhances its presence. This makes the koi a living symbol embedded into the core of the interior.
“Algedra brought the essence of the koi fish into the architecture itself, guiding the interior through gentle curves and a composed visual language.”
Material Flow and Spatial Rhythm
The interior relies on a consistent palette to maintain harmony through the space. Marble introduces brightness, wood brings warmth, copper adds depth and textured surfaces soften the overall character. Circulation paths are intentionally curved, creating a sense of ease similar to the koi’s movement. These transitions shape seating arrangements, lighting placement and focal points.
The upper level continues this rhythm. Its layout provides privacy while staying visually connected to the central bar. Rounded railings, repeating tones and soft lighting hold the interior together across both floors.
Key Spatial Elements
- Curved paths create a steady and natural sense of movement
● Warm materials support the calm and welcoming atmosphere
● The circular aquarium acts as a visual anchor and conceptual heart of the project
a. Curved geometry guides guest movement inside KOI
The entire interior follows a sequence of rounded outlines that shape how guests move from one area to another. Nothing inside KOI is built on abrupt corners. Instead, every wall, ceiling transition and circulation path flows with a gentle curve. This creates a calm progression through the space and mirrors the steady motion associated with the koi fish. The curved geometry also softens the environment during peak hours by directing guests naturally without creating pressure points or crowded areas. It gives the restaurant a smooth pace that supports both comfort and visual ease.
b. Lighting highlights structure while maintaining a calm tone
The lighting layout reinforces the curved form of the architecture. A layered brightness plan was used to define each section clearly without creating sharp contrasts. The bar receives stronger brightness to anchor the room while the dining areas are shaped through softer downward light that feels controlled and natural. Light follows the curve of the ceiling, which enhances the fluid movement throughout the restaurant. This approach keeps the atmosphere stable and easy on the eye, giving the interior a gentle glow instead of a harsh visual field.
c. Warm materials set the mood across all dining zones
KOI uses a palette built on warmth. Walnut tones, marble surfaces, copper highlights and textured wall panels work together to create a steady setting that feels grounded. These materials were selected to bring depth while keeping the mood soft. No surface fights for attention. Instead, the palette dissolves into a unified character that supports the restaurant’s identity. Guests feel welcomed the moment they enter because the materials speak the same language from floor to ceiling. This harmony helps maintain the calm pace inspired by the koi fish.
d. The bar and aquarium establish the main visual order
The circular bar is the central anchor of the restaurant. Its form combines structure and presence without overwhelming the room. The KOI emblem placed at its center reinforces identity while the vertical wooden elements frame the space. Next to it, the circular aquarium stands as the conceptual heart of the project. The slow movement of the koi fish brings a living focus that shapes how guests experience the restaurant. Both features work together to organize the floor plan. They orient diners, create pause points and build a natural sequence of visual direction.
e. Consistent surfaces unify both levels into one connected environment
The restaurant contains two levels, yet both feel like parts of one story because the surfaces and colors remain consistent. The upper floor uses the same curved outlines, marble brightness and warm wood details as the main level. This creates visual continuity and avoids disruptions in mood. Even railings, ceiling patterns and lighting placements follow the same rhythm. As a result, the interior reads as one connected environment rather than separate layers. Guests moving between floors experience the same calm pacing and steady atmosphere that define KOI’s identity.
The interior uses controlled material selections and rounded outlines to build a cohesive dining setting. The koi influence remains present through the aquarium, soft motion lines and the steady rhythm of the architecture. Together, these elements create a space shaped through clarity, warmth and fluid movement.
