Scalla by URBANJOBS: A Mediterranean Design Masterpiece in Beykoz, Istanbul
URBANJOBS, the multidisciplinary design studio celebrated for its material-driven and experiential approach, has unveiled Scalla, a 120-seat luxury Mediterranean restaurant in Beykoz, Istanbul. More than a dining destination, Scalla is an architectural journey that redefines spatial boundaries through fluid design and sensory engagement. Named after the Italian word scala, meaning staircase, the project embodies a philosophy of shifting perspectives, where form, function, and materiality seamlessly intertwine. At its heart is the Glass Curtain, a curvilinear architectural system inspired by the undulating lines of the Mediterranean coast. By dissolving traditional separations of space, URBANJOBS transforms Scalla into a dynamic, living environment—an atmosphere that fosters discovery, connection, and a heightened sense of place.
Rethinking Boundaries: The Glass Curtain
URBANJOBS’ design philosophy has always challenged convention, and Scalla is no exception. Instead of following the rigid grid defined by internal columns, the design team introduced what they call the Glass Curtain. This three-dimensional curved system blurs the definition of perimeter walls. Inspired by the shifting forms of the Mediterranean shoreline, this fluid frame expands and contracts, folding inward or extending outward to create moments of intimacy or openness.
Constructed from copper-coated aluminium profiles and curved glass panels, the Glass Curtain is as much a technical feat as it is a visual one. Its undulating form responds to the restaurant’s coastal context in Beykoz, echoing the textures of sea and land while offering guests a permeable architectural language. Instead of confining, the Glass Curtain breathes, creating a sense of flexibility that mirrors the ebb and flow of water itself.
This approach elevates Scalla beyond mere function. The boundaries of the restaurant become fluid, dissolving the barrier between inside and outside and allowing the design to feel alive, adaptable, and deeply rooted in its setting.
A Social Anchor: The Central Bar
At the centre of Scalla sits a bar that acts not only as a functional hub but also as an architectural reference point. Visible from multiple perspectives, it serves as a social magnet where guests naturally gather. Its careful placement enhances wayfinding, helping diners orient themselves as they move through the space.
The bar is also a microcosm of Scalla’s wider design language, crafted from bespoke materials, layered lighting, and custom detailing that reflects the restaurant’s identity. A striking blue marble-effect cabinetry, accented with refined copper-toned hardware from Turnstyle Designs, ensures the bar is as much an aesthetic focal point as a service station.
A Journey Through Space
Founder and Lead Designer Murat Dede describes Scalla as an experiential journey, carefully choreographed through layers of space. Guests first encounter the central bar before passing the kitchen’s pass-through window. From here, they ascend to a higher level, experiencing a literal and metaphorical shift in perspective.
The return journey continues the narrative: passing from bathrooms back into the main space, re-engaging with key architectural elements such as the bar, the wine cabinet, and the framed pass-through window. This deliberate sequencing of movement ensures that design elements are reinforced in memory, transforming circulation into a layered experience rather than a functional necessity.
Sculpting the Ceiling
The ceiling at Scalla was conceived as an unifying surface, yet adapted to respond to different needs across the restaurant. In some areas, it rises to create openness; in others, structural beams define transitions. Woven leather inserts soften select sections, while lowered ceiling zones generate intimacy and comfort.
This variation adds rhythm to the architecture, creating subtle shifts that enrich the guest experience. The ceiling is not merely overhead—it becomes part of the spatial choreography, guiding guests’ awareness and creating a textured architectural landscape.
Lighting: From Day to Night
Scalla’s lighting scheme is as integral as its architectural features. By day, sunlight filters through the Glass Curtain, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow that animate the space. By night, the atmosphere transforms: a bespoke arrangement of wall sconces, table lamps, and integrated LED systems creates a theatrical quality, emphasising Scalla’s architectural forms.
This thoughtful lighting progression ensures that the restaurant evolves throughout the day, aligning with natural rhythms while offering guests a constantly changing sensory experience.
Materiality and Atmosphere
URBANJOBS selected materials that reinforce Scalla’s fluidity and warmth. Natural wood, woven leather, and light-toned marble combine to create a tactile, inviting environment. Copper-coated aluminium structures unify these materials into a coherent rhythm, while bespoke furnishings add layers of craft and detail.
The palette reflects the Mediterranean itself: light beige, sandy tones, earthy browns, and copper accents reference the land, while delicate blues nod to the sea. This dialogue between land and water grounds Scalla’s identity, creating a refined yet approachable atmosphere.
Every design detail is bespoke, reinforcing the restaurant's carefully crafted identity. From engraved floor plaques bearing the Scalla name to seating upholstered in fabrics from Dedar and Ralph Lauren, the design is tailored to the last detail. Walls clad in textured coverings by ARTE and Phillip Jeffries add depth, while geometric tile flooring provides rhythm and continuity underfoot.
Outdoor Architecture
The outdoor terrace extends Scalla’s architectural story. A sculptural pergola repeats the theme of curvilinear forms, framing seating areas and creating a microclimate enriched by planting from renowned plant designer Yunus Karma. Integrated lighting and acoustic solutions ensure comfort, while the repetition of design elements blurs the boundary between interior and exterior.
This continuity reinforces URBANJOBS’ belief in design as an immersive journey. Whether inside or outside, guests encounter the same material language and architectural rhythm.
A Sensory Dining Experience
Ultimately, Scalla is more than a restaurant; it is a sensory narrative. Every curve, material, and texture is designed to engage the body and mind. Guests are invited to slow down, explore, and connect, not only with each other but with the architecture itself.
By rejecting rigid boundaries and embracing fluidity, URBANJOBS has crafted a space that is as emotionally resonant as it is visually striking. Scalla embodies a design philosophy where architecture does not simply frame experience but becomes the experience itself.
URBANJOBS: A Studio of Stories
Founded in 2017 by Murat Dede, URBANJOBS has quickly established itself as one of Istanbul’s most visionary design studios. Known for a material-driven and experiential approach, the studio treats space as a holistic encounter, shaped by texture, light, and user interaction. From door handles to custom furniture, every element is considered part of a spatial language that is unique to each project.
URBANJOBS’ growing portfolio includes some of Istanbul’s most prominent hospitality and gastronomy venues, such as Batard, Zula, Momo Bebeköy, Momo Beach, Clove, and Saku. Internationally, they have collaborated with restaurateur Alan Yau, Italian dining brand Obicà, luxury chocolatier Butterfly, and iconic label Johnnie Walker.
Beyond restaurants, the studio’s work spans retail, residential, and workplace design, with clients including Beymen, Getir, İş Bankası, Renault, and Kolektif House. Currently, URBANJOBS is designing a new concept for two-Michelin-starred chef Osman Sezener, signalling the studio’s continued evolution on the global stage.
As Murat Dede notes:
“The true power of design lies in its ability to create an experience. Design is not merely about form; it is a proposition about how a space will be lived in and aged over time.”
All photography: İbrahi̇m Özbunar
With Scalla, URBANJOBS has redefined the relationship between architecture and dining, crafting a Mediterranean restaurant that is immersive, fluid, and emotionally resonant. Through innovations such as the Glass Curtain, bespoke material details, and a holistic approach to spatial experience, Scalla transcends the conventional restaurant model. It becomes a living, breathing environment, one that embodies the studio’s design philosophy and affirms Istanbul’s place as a centre of contemporary hospitality design.
Scalla is not just a restaurant in Beykoz, it is a testament to the future of spatial design.
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