Restaurant Auyl in the Medeu mountain district near Almaty (Kazakhstan)

The seamless fusion of harmonious interior design, inventive cuisine, and architecturally captivating surroundings creates an ambiance at Auyl that envelops guests in a truly exceptional experience. Within its modern embrace, Auyl pays homage to the contemporary world, eschewing any strict insistence on historical authenticity.

Designers of the project:

NAAW Studio
www.naaw.studio
@act.naaw

in collaboration with Dunie design studio @duniedesign

Area 350 m2

Nestled in the picturesque Medeu mountain district, Auyl is a culinary haven born from a harmonious collaboration of visionary architects, artists, artisans, designers, and creative minds. This experimental restaurant transcends the boundaries of traditional dining, immersing guests in a captivating experience that seamlessly marries gastronomy with performance art. Auyl invites patrons to actively participate in the culinary journey, engaging their senses through the interplay of lighting, soundscapes, atmosphere, textures, and fragrances, all while offering innovative interpretations of Central Asian cuisine.

Performance as a Sincere Expression

Architects and founders of the NAAW firm, Elvira Bakubayeva and Aisulu Uali, joined forces with designer Assel Nusipkozhanova to craft not just a space but a symphony of emotions within Auyl. From the very threshold of this unique restaurant, guests are enveloped in a sense of spaciousness, grandeur, and wonder. The concept of an open-kitchen layout was ingeniously conceived, allowing diners to bear witness to the entire culinary spectacle. Whether seated on plush cushions in the topchan area, perched at the bar, or gathered around a traditional table, every vantage point within the restaurant offers a captivating view of the kitchen—the central stage of the culinary theatre. The domed structures that grace the kitchen area pay homage to the iconic nomadic "bowls" and artfully demarcate the guest area from the heart of culinary creativity. The subtle lighting scheme casts an enchanting aura reminiscent of a theater's auditorium.

A Historic Location

Auyl resides within a historical gem—a testament to Soviet modernism adorned with traditional design motifs. As guests cross the threshold, they are greeted by Soviet-era mosaic artwork by Vladimir Anisimov, depicting the enigmatic Kenesary Khan on a hunting expedition. Figures adorning the building's façade appear to materialize and vanish like ephemeral shadows. Originally constructed in Aktau, the building found its current home in Almaty, serving as the residence where Dinmukhamed Kunaev, a prominent figure of the Kazakh SSR, hosted foreign dignitaries. Auyl's chosen setting is one of the city's iconic landmarks, perched upon the slopes of Medeu, exuding an aura of enchantment, with the interplay of views, air, sunlight, location, and architecture contributing to its inherent magic.

Design and Architecture Details

Auyl's inception began with a cohesive concept, where every element of the restaurant would converse in a shared language, harmonizing architecture, decor, tableware, background melodies, and fragrances. Collaborating closely with local artisans, including woodcarvers, textile artisans, and ceramic craftsmen, the founders, Elvira, Aisulu, and Assel, embarked on a meticulous quest for perfection. Auyl gradually evolved—a fusion of sensory experiences, organic shapes, and comfort, with the space dictating its own solutions.

The restaurant's architectural design revolves around a few essential elements, blending into a seamless, open space punctuated only by structural columns. The deliberate absence of straight lines and flat surfaces creates an organic flow, where textured walls seamlessly transition into a similarly textured ceiling, complemented by rounded columns and beams.

The gradient-painted walls, ranging from pale clay to deep soot, evoke the effect of a ceiling weathered by time and smoke. Stone tiles with rugged edges grace the flooring, setting the stage for the restaurant's main protagonists.

Two central focal points capture the eye—the expansive panoramic windows framing awe-inspiring mountain vistas and the open kitchen, crowned with an array of varying-sized domes. These domes not only illuminate the culinary spectacle but also contribute radiant light for cooking without diminishing the restaurant's ambient mood lighting. Coarse-textured materials, including clay, unadorned stone, oxidized copper, rugged travertine, brushed wood, and jute, infuse the restaurant with a distinctive sense of raw, primal authenticity, softened by warm, tactile textiles.

Artful Illumination

Lighting plays a pivotal role in shaping Auyl's atmosphere. Abundant natural daylight bathes the space during the day, culminating in the enchanting "golden hour" around 5 PM. As evening descends, narrow-beam spotlights delicately illuminate table centers and coax decorative elements from the shadows. Subtle underfloor lighting weaves captivating shadows from interior trees, while traditional sham (kerosene lamps) and animal-shaped candle covers, mirroring the façade's depictions, provide charming, flickering silhouettes.

A Tapestry of Traditional Craftsmanship

In their quest to pay homage to Turkic nomadic heritage, the design team delved deep into traditional applied arts, collaborating closely with local artisans. The result is an ode to the applied arts—a repository of handcrafted chairs, carpets, and ornaments, each destined to age gracefully and acquire its unique patina. Distinctive wood carvings adorn cabinets, kitchen surfaces, and window frames, bearing the unmistakable touch of human hands. Kebezhe chests, historically used for food storage and service stations, are artfully incorporated into the decor. The low, round tables in the topchan area echo those where Kazakh families traditionally gather for tea.

Ornate Decor

The design draws richly from traditional Kazakh ornaments and patterns, each imbued with a unique historical significance. These intricate motifs are thoughtfully interwoven, reminiscent of ancient storytelling through art. The selection of ornaments for Auyl was guided not only by compositional aesthetics but also by their profound meanings.

Textile Tales

Auyl's textile adornments are a testament to craftsmanship and cultural fusion. Collaborating with Tumar, a Kyrgyz company renowned for blending traditional techniques with modern manufacturing, the restaurant features shyrdaq—large felted carpets adorned with traditional applique patterns, knitted pillows, woven termeh carpets, and linen ribbons adorned with tambour embroidery. These textiles serve as essential elements in shaping Auyl's immersive atmosphere, bridging the material and spiritual worlds.

Ceramic Artistry

A medley of artisan groups contributed to Auyl's ceramic creations. Sezim Ceramics, renowned for its primitive-style ceramics crafted from pure clay and natural materials, crafted pitchers for Auyl. Forma Ceramics, a local atelier, collaborated extensively to refine the design of glazed plates for the restaurant. The ceramic dishes, painted by a group of Almaty artists from the Dunie Lab workshops, are a testament to artistic experimentation. The bar introduces innovative ceramic drink presentations, featuring artist-painted champagne and wine glasses.

The Culinary Alchemy

At the heart of Auyl lies its kitchen, where culinary artistry flourishes. Rooted in the essence of nomadic cuisine—water, flour, and meat—the menu reimagines traditional ingredients with innovative preparation methods. While honoring tradition as a starting point, Auyl strives to craft a new narrative that preserves history and taste while embracing contemporary sensibilities.

A Canvas for Contemporary Kazakhstan Art

Auyl's space serves as an exquisite gallery for the works of three renowned Kazakhstani artists—Moldakul Narymbetov, Said Atabekov, and Kuanysh Bazargaliev. Each artist's creations add layers of cultural richness and visual storytelling to the restaurant's ambiance.

"The Sounds of the Wall," 2022, by Moldakul Narymbetov, delves into themes of history, Sufism, nomadism, ritual, and shamanism. This installation reimagines a period of profound societal and cultural transformation, offering a sensory journey through time.

"Sky Coordinates," 2022, by Said Atabekov, presents a visual odyssey across nomadic lands, dissecting historical events and illuminating the conquerors of the past.

"Struggle and Unity of Opposites," part of the "Qoshqar Müyiz" series from 2018, by Kuanysh Bazargaliev, reinterprets symbolic ornaments, particularly the "ram's horn" motif, symbolizing vitality, wealth, prosperity, and well-being. Kuanysh's work artfully weaves philosophical concepts into his designs, exploring themes of cultural identity and self-discovery.

Auyl is more than a restaurant; it's an immersive journey into the heart of nomadic culture, contemporary art, and culinary innovation. In this dynamic fusion of tradition and modernity, guests embark on a sensory adventure that transcends boundaries and beckons them to discover the rich tapestry of Central Asian heritage.