Walls swell, narrow and sweep around the room like the flank of a moving animal. At Falwa, a standout falwa restaurant abu dhabi, the design studio 4Space built the entire interior around the body of the Arabian horse.
Falwa sits on the grounds of the Abu Dhabi Royal Equestrian Arts (ADREA) complex. Michelin-starred Emirati chef Faisal Alharmoodi leads the kitchen at this abu dhabi restaurant, which serves modern Emirati cuisine. This venue opened in 2026, the Year of the Horse.
Anatomy as architecture
4Space did not fill the room with horse imagery. Instead, the studio studied how the animal moves. “The design team explored the physical and kinetic qualities of the animal itself, specifically its skeletal structure, muscular tension, and fluid movement,” the studio said.
The result is one continuous shell across the whole restaurant interior. Walls, columns and ceilings stretch and tighten in a single sculptural sweep.
The name comes from falwa, an Arabic term for a young female mare. Sources differ slightly on the age. Dezeen describes her as being in her first year of life, while Designboom places her in her first year after weaning. Either way, the word signals youth and unrestrained movement.
Colour drawn from a legendary steed
The walls echo Rabdan, the horse belonging to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. 4Space coated the architecture in a custom dusty white mineral plaster that resembles the animal’s coat. The surface feels soft and earthy under the hand.
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Dezeen reports that the matte finish acts as a canvas for daylight. Natural and artificial light move across the curves and cast shifting shadows.
The palette at this venue follows the same source. Warm reddish, tan and brown tones sit against the white walls. Crimson accents add depth, and the studio says they convey the animal’s presence.
Polished Breccia Aurora marble covers the floor. Its beige and brown veining picks up the leather and wood tones elsewhere in the room.
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Equestrian details in small doses
The literal references appear at human scale. 4Space designed the dining chairs with saddle brown leather straps, exposed stitching and metal hardware. These details recall saddlery and bridles without copying them outright.
Above the central tables, a tactile sculpture with a skeletal, undulating design that evokes movement and anatomy. Dezeen calls it a skeletal, undulating sculpture that suggests movement and anatomy.
Lighting also carries the theme. 4Space specified the Vibia Plusminus system, designed by Stefan Diez. A fabric belt carries the power and the fittings, which clip on and off. The system includes six light sources, from spheres to linear diffusers, and it can work as a pendant, sconce or floor light. Here, brown textile straps hold glass globes across the ceiling, matching the leather on the chairs.
Engineering behind the curves
A falwa restaurant abu dhabi of shared heritage
It links its food and its interior through one idea. The studio presents both as modern expressions of Emirati culture and heritage. In its words, “The design demonstrates how a deep cultural relationship can be expressed as a living, modern architectural language.”
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
Who designed the interior of Falwa restaurant in Abu Dhabi?
The design studio 4Space designed Falwa’s interior, building it around the body of the Arabian horse. The studio studied how the animal moves rather than filling the room with horse imagery.
Who leads the kitchen at Falwa restaurant in Abu Dhabi?
Michelin-starred Emirati chef Faisal Alharmoodi leads the kitchen at Falwa, which serves modern Emirati cuisine. The restaurant is located on the grounds of the Abu Dhabi Royal Equestrian Arts (ADREA) complex.
What does the name Falwa mean at this Abu Dhabi restaurant?
Falwa is an Arabic term for a young female mare. The article notes that sources differ slightly on her age, but the word signals youth and unrestrained movement.
What material covers the walls at Falwa, and what inspired its color?
The walls are coated in a custom dusty white mineral plaster that resembles the coat of a horse. The colour echoes Rabdan, the horse belonging to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
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