A traditional Lebanese bread influenced design elements at this bakery in London by local firm MA Studio, where it’s the primary item on the menu.
Common Breads on Buckingham Palace Road, close to Victoria station, celebrates the centuries-old Middle Eastern food staple of kaak.
In Beirut, the bread is crafted from simple ingredients, covered in sesame seeds and moulded into an identifiable “purse” shape with a hole at the top, which allows vendors to hang the roll from a rig attached to their bicycles.
“Inspired by this quintessential street food, a passionate trio of friends decided to bring the story of kaak to London,” said MA Studio, led by Selma Akkari and Rawan Muqaddas.
The studio designed the bakery’s interior to introduce the bread to new audiences in a contemporary setting.
Formerly an office, the 65-square-metre space at street level was transformed with warm materials and nods to the heritage of the snack it serves.
The original facade was altered to include two prominent reinforced columns at the entrance, while large windows create a connection between the outdoor patio and the indoor areas.
“The interior design interprets the vernacular vocabulary of Lebanese architecture through a curated palette of materials,” MA Studio said.
Beyond the glass door is a white-walled space with a speckled floor that mimics the appearance of sesame seeds.
This room offers seating on built-in window benches, facing a glass panel that allows a glimpse at the preparation process in the kitchen behind and creates an opportunity to display the kaak on metal hooks.
A caramel-toned wooden frame references typical Lebanese architecture and creates a portal into the main service area.
Here, two perpendicular counters are wrapped in checkerboard tiles that playfully suggest the patterns of backgammon – a popular community pastime in Lebanon.
To adorn the walls above the two-top tables, Beirut lighting brand Fabraca Studios designed custom metal sconces that resemble kaak, complete with the signature hole at the top.
“This thoughtful integration of traditional elements creates an immersive cultural experience, inviting customers to step into a space where the essence of Lebanese hospitality and culinary tradition come alive, offering a true taste of Beirut in the heart of London,” said MA Studio.
Before joining forces, Akkari and Muqaddas ran separate studios in New York and London respectively, and collaborated on the interiors of a “minimal but warm” Brooklyn apartment.
Muqaddas also previously designed the Sloane Street Deli in the UK capital, which features green tiles and bentwood chairs.
The photography is by Felix Speller.
