Gold Standard

Architect Manuel Clavel Rojo reveals the inspiration behind the interiors of miX by Alain Ducasse – Dubai’s premiere restaurant by the iconic French chef.

- Joanne Molina

Guests at the chef ’s table of Alain Ducasse’s first Dubai restaurant, miX by Alain Ducasse, will be in for a surprise: their culinary journey will take place within a gargantuan, golden Fabergé egg. Representing the mystery and secrets locked inside its centre, it sits inside the dome of the Emerald Palace Kempinski, spanning an impressive three floors and providing unparalleled views of the sea and the Palm Jumeirah.

Chef Ducasse, renowned for his 21 Michelin stars, worked closely with Spanish architect Manuel Clavel Rojo of Clavel Arquitectos to create this nuanced dining experience.

“Dubai is a bold and shocking experiment that happens to be a very attractive destination, built from scratch. We designed this restaurant to be aligned with these principles, and to represent the idea that Dubai is the best place in the world to experience radical luxury in an unconventional way,” says Clavel Rojo.

But those who are familiar with the work of the award-winning architect know that this mesmerising design isn’t the first time he’s exceeded expectations. It’s aligned with his other powerful, imaginative visions.

“[My design philosophy is] to design exciting spaces so radical that most people think it’s impossible to actually create them. Our client thought it would be impossible to make a seven-storey Fabergé egg, but at the same time they were so excited and were convinced that was the right thing to do. This kind of bold effort brings equivalent feelings of reward and success,” he says.