Interview with Sophia Sebti, ARCHITECT
A graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Sophia Sebti continued her studies at the Escola da Cidade in Sao Paulo. Her field of expertise is broad and varied, encompassing small- to large-scale projects, continually alternating between urban planning, architecture, landscape, interior design, stand design, and street furniture design. She has currently been working in her studio "212/conception" since 2009, and has completed a series of projects with strong character, all of them remarkably original.
Sophia and I discuss the renovation project of the Umayya restaurant.
- How would you describe Sophia Sebti's style?
What we strive for at the agency is a kind of alchemy between practicality and aesthetics. The beauty of architecture and its practicality go hand in hand.
This also comes from the expression of the 20th century American architect Louis Sullivan: "Form follows function," to which I like to juxtapose "Function follows form." These two notions are intimately intertwined.
Another characteristic of our style is the design of spaces with a large number of openings. The interior of a volume is connected to the exterior and vice versa.
The architecture emerges from within the project, and it is by opening up to the sky that we connect with the outdoors. Thus, we created several glass roofs in the restaurant that did not exist before. The roof becomes the fifth facade of a volume from which natural light penetrates.
Finally, we try as much as possible to opt for local materials such as zellige from Fez, stone from Taza, marble from Khenifra, etc.
- What were your inspirations for the renovation of the Umayya restaurant?
Umayya initially had a lounge/cabaret atmosphere. We wanted to bring in light and high ceilings from the very beginning of this project so that the place would be pleasant both day and night, with glass roofs that let in overhead light.
The owners wanted to give the restaurant a boost with Levantine and Mediterranean cuisine. Umayya offers a unique view of the Atlantic Ocean, close to the Casablanca lighthouse. The multiple colors of the sea inspired us for the zellige, for the colors of the glass: the blue of the morning, of the evening, that of the day when it is very sunny or very gray… All these nuances give a result close to its context. We also used a lot of mirrors to duplicate the view of the Ocean so that everyone can capture it.
The restaurant's style is characterized by a blend of several ambiances. It features the chic of a brasserie, a noble floor with white marble interrupted by strips of black and white zellige, parquet flooring, grooved plaster, and Aït Manos zellige—made in-house using a thousand-year-old process—on half the walls, which contrasts with the industrial feel of the ceiling with its exposed lighting and air conditioning.
- Why did you choose to use Aït Manos zellige for this project?
Zellige has been a favorite of our clients and us from the very beginning. The use of Zellige in architecture combines classic, design, and essential values. Crafted in its workshops by the greatest master zelliger craftsmen, Maison Aït Manos' creations enhance our spaces and give our projects a touch that is both local and contemporary. We particularly appreciate the multiple composition and color choices offered by Aït Manos.
We've been collaborating with the brand's co-founders, Ghalia Sebti and Tawfik Bennani, for over a decade. Tawfik brings a wealth of technical and creative expertise that is rare. Ghalia, with her professionalism and attention to detail, ensures a continuous presence from the initial proposal to the completion of the project.
In the toilets, we chose to do full Aït Manos zellige but playing with the dimensions and colors to create a particular and warmer atmosphere in contrast with the ocean side of the large room.
For this more intimate area, we created four different restrooms. Four cubes with specific ceiling heights, like a Lego building.
Each cube is a different color: Pink, Purple, Red, and Peach. The Chocolate zellige floor leads and connects these four spaces.
Photographer Credits:
©Alessio Mei
©Lahcen Mellal