URBANJOBS UNVEILS INTERIORS FOR THE SCALLA RESTAURANT

Images courtesy of URBANJOBS (Ece Pekbaşaran and İbrahi̇m Özbunaṙ)

A Luxurious Restaurant With A Mediterranean-Inspired Sculpture In Istanbul’s Famed Beykoz District

Scalla, a 120-seat upscale Mediterranean restaurant in Istanbul, was unveiled by the well-known design firm URBANJOBS. It blends form, function, and materiality and is named after the Italian word “scala”. The Glass Curtain, a curvilinear architectural system modeled after the Mediterranean coast, is the focal point of the restaurant. The strategy used by URBANJOBS turns the restaurant into a vibrant living space that promotes exploration, community building, and an enhanced sense of place, making it a distinctive dining experience.

By redefining the physical boundaries in restaurants, URBANJOBS has produced a powerful spatial composition. They unveiled the “Glass Curtain” a curvilinear framing technique modeled after the shoreline and water of the Mediterranean coast. This glass surface extends outward and folds inward to fulfill a variety of purposes, surpassing traditional boundaries. The space’s perimeter transforms into a flexible, breathable shell that mimics the natural coastal texture of Beykoz and provides a permeable architectural language.

The Glass Curtain system is a novel construction technique that uses copper-coated aluminum profiles to support a three-dimensional curved form. This design strengthens the restaurant’s architectural identity while addressing technical issues. Boundaries are challenged by the system in both functional and experiential ways. A prominently placed bar facilitates wayfinding and guest orientation by acting as a social anchor and architectural reference point. The bar is a social magnet because it is made to reflect the restaurant’s identity through its lighting, materials, and aesthetics.

Presented by Magran Living

URBANJOBS’ Founder and Lead Designer, Murat Dede describes the experiential journey within the restaurant:

“Guests first pass in front of the bar and then the kitchen pass-through window before ascending to a higher level, offering a shift in perception. On their way back from the bathrooms toward the back of the restaurant, they re-engage with the interior before once again encountering the bar, reinforcing spatial continuity. Descending the steps, they first frame the wine cabinet and then, once again, the pass-through window. This deliberate spatial sequencing ensures that the key architectural elements remain imprinted in memory, transforming circulation into a layered experience rather than a mere movement path.”

By raising the ceiling in some places and utilizing structural beams for transitions, URBANJOBS has modified Scalla’s ceiling to accommodate a variety of spatial requirements. For a cozy, homey feel, the ceiling is highlighted with woven leather inserts and lowered heights in particular areas.

Using a Glass Curtain system to filter daylight during the day, Scalla’s lighting design transforms into a theatrical setting at night with integrated LED systems, custom wall sconces, and table lamps.

While copper-coated aluminum structures provide durability and aesthetic coherence, Scalla’s materials—such as wood, leather, and light-toned marble—create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. These materials are regularly utilized in structural components to give the room a pleasing rhythm. To create a serene, elegant ambiance that alludes to both the sea and the land, Scalla’s sustainable design makes use of natural and regional materials, warm Mediterranean tones, light beige, sand, earthy tones, copper accents, and blue details.

Every piece of furniture and design element at Scalla was created specifically for the project by URBANJOBS using a color scheme of wood, leather, and copper—materials selected for their visual coherence, warmth, and tactile qualities. The restaurant’s carefully designed identity and architectural clarity are strengthened by this custom approach. The dining experience is elevated by an emphasis on material honesty and exquisite details, making it something incredibly unique and hard to duplicate. Important examples include the eye-catching blue marble-effect cabinetry that is used at the main bar and throughout the room. It has an engraved floor plaque with the restaurant’s name on it and elegant copper-toned hardware from Turnstyle Designs. While the flooring has a delicate, geometric tile pattern, the upholstery adds layers of softness and texture with rich fabrics from Dedar and Ralph Lauren.

Scalla’s outdoor space includes a pergola, a Yunus Karma sculpture, and a pergola that is elevated above couches. With the use of lighting and acoustic comfort solutions, the design produces a feeling of enclosure and microclimate. Guests are immediately put at ease by the smooth visual and functional rhythm created by the repetition of materials and elements.