厨师的家 | Tarik Zaharna | 2025 | 阿联酋
“He always said, ‘When I build my house, you’re going to design it.’ And almost ten years later, it happened,” says architect Tarik Zaharna, reflecting on the home he has created for celebrity chef Izu Ani and his family in Dubai.
With a restaurant footprint that stretches from Sirene by Gaia in the UAE to recent openings in London and soon Miami, Ani is one of Dubai’s most influential culinary figures and regularly moves between restaurants, cities and time zones with little pause.
“His life is chaotic. He’s always travelling!” laughs Zaharna. “We both agree that there’s nothing better than to come home and have everything be in its place.”
It was this groundwork that set the tone for a home where execution matters as much as concept. Zaharna describes his approach as stripping projects back to their “pure essence”, avoiding visual noise and unnecessary gestures.
This philosophy is evident across his practice, from the sculptural KOA Canvas events pavilion to Dubai’s first 3D-printed building, commissioned by the Dubai Future Foundation. In Ani’s home, that same clarity begins at the front door, where custom joinery absorbs everyday clutter, establishing a calm that carries through the rest of the interior.
As with many of Zaharna’s projects, natural finishes are used throughout. “We wanted materials that would weather beautifully, and that would sit comfortably with the architectural lighting,” he says, highlighting warm stone floors, timber joinery and softly textured surfaces.Throughout the home are discreet references to the Ani family’s Nigerian, British and French backgrounds, such as African-inspired lighting in the living room. Ani’s time spent in Japan influences the understated nature of the overall design and the intricacy of elements such as the sliding and pivoting partitions between the cocktail lounge and kitchen. “These simple movements transform the space,” Zaharna notes. “The house can be intimate for four people or active for 20 without feeling forced.”
Next door, the kitchen operates as a fully equipped professional support centre within a domestic setting. Stainless-steel appliances, a walk-in cold room, a blast freezer and specialist ovens are fully integrated, allowing the space to perform at restaurant level without disrupting the elegance of the living areas.“I wanted something that represents my feelings,” says Ani. “Cooking is an emotion. This kitchen had to support that – for family, friends, and for the charitable experiences we intend to host here.”
Each month, the chef plans to auction an immersive day in the home, culminating in a dinner for twelve around the table, with proceeds directed to causes close to the family’s heart. In the entertainment lounge, a series of bespoke elements has been created specifically for the space, including a custom wine installation conceived with Artemest and executed by an Italian craftsman. Set above a tailored cocktail counter, it forms part of a wider hosting area linking the kitchen and dining room.
- 转载自：AD(admiddleeast)
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- 国家：美国
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