- Interior
Blu Pizzeria in Riyadh brings a fresh chapter to a celebrated series of nature-inspired restaurants, each interpreting a different element from the natural world. In this latest venue, the focus shifts to plants, but rather than filling the space with greenery, the design highlights the life-giving soil beneath. Guests enter an environment where subtle references to the earth shape both the visual and tactile experience, offering a calm and organic escape within the urban landscape of Saudi Arabia’s capital.
The interior was brought to life by the experimental architectural studio KIDZ, known for blending international design with local culture. For over twenty years, the studio has created spaces that engage people emotionally, encouraging interaction while taking in their surroundings. In Riyadh, architects Marko Mirkovic, Ruben Movsisian, Artem Lebedev, and Tanya Kurockina transformed natural ideas into a modern restaurant, carefully shaping materials and structures to create an immersive space. 
The project spans 305 square meters and revolves around a careful balance of warmth and restraint. The palette combines earthy sandstone, rich copper, and warm wood, gently contrasted by muted green accents. Structural columns, initially constraining the space, were transformed into sculptural elements reminiscent of trees, merging functionality with design. Geometric forms, from trapezoidal windows to custom wooden features, reinforce the rhythm of the space and invite visitors to explore. At its heart, an open kitchen with dual ovens is surrounded by varied seating arrangements, from casual lounge areas to intimate four-person tables aligned along the facade, offering both comfort and a show. 
At its heart, an open kitchen with dual ovens is surrounded by varied seating arrangements, from casual lounge areas to intimate four-person tables aligned along the facade, offering both comfort and a show.
Tactile materials deepen the connection to the natural theme. Textured plaster, porcelain tiles with a microcement effect, and copper wall panels create layers of material richness, while wooden details and sculptural forms reinforce the underlying ‘plant architecture’ concept. Thoughtful technical solutions, such as flooring applied in distinct patterns to suggest movement, fully integrated air-conditioning systems, and custom wall-mounted elements, demonstrate the studio’s adaptive approach. Each detail was refined on-site, highlighting the meticulous design process KIDZ is known for in the region. 
Blu Pizzeria Riyadh succeeds in turning a simple dining experience into a sensory journey rooted in nature. By exploring the idea of soil as the source of life, the restaurant balances artistic expression with practical functionality, resulting in a refined atmosphere. Through warm materials, sculptural elements, and subtle botanical references, the space embodies the studio’s mission to create emotionally resonant interiors that connect people to both the environment and each other.
Photography by Ilya Ivanov
Text by Ellen De Meyer