One Third Food Hall, Al Wasl

The One Third Food Hall, Al Wasl, Dubai is a first-of-its-kind experience recently launched in Dubai. Designed by Key Concept, One Third is built on home-grown ideas and businesses and acts as the perfect platform for community players to narrate their visions and dreams and activate them into reality.

One Third is a podium for small to medium enterprises to come together and create a comprehensive gastronomic experience of destination and richly-designed space. It is the pilot project in the Dubai market. And for the time-being, it embraces food & beverage, design and individual talent. Comprised of 6 shops, with different operators and different cuisines, they all sustain each other and become part of the whole.

The design concept is derived from “One Third” or the Islamic saying “hadeath,” meaning that self-fulfilment is 1/3 food, 1/3 drink and 1/3 breath, so as to continue its story into the physical form. As “Part of a Whole” or in constant change or progress, the transition of the middle stage wherein all elements are being assembled together are shown. It is about highlighting the method and progress in the construction. The grid-like structure creates a unifying look, yet was never given importance or seen as a finished product. It also exemplifies a social significance and responsibility. Characterized by exposed-cement finishes, black-metal frames and exposed scaffolding structure; the interior architecture is very airy and gives an authentic look and feel. Uncommon materials such as rippled glass, polycarbonate sheets and glass blocks add to the unique translucence of the space.

The base of the structure is raw and unfinished, so when moving on to the micro scale of the space (fixtures, furniture, etc.) the level of finish becomes more refined. Since these are the things a person has the closest connection with; leather and velvet chairs, open-grain wooden and stone tables provide the comfort aspect. The addition of the lush greenery spruced up the otherwise rigid structure of the interiors. Each operator was given the freedom to “live in” and showcase their own brand values and personality.

Midnight Breakfast, an all-day breakfast shop, turned the place into a very homely living-space with beautiful potted plants in all corners. Habak, a Lebanese urban street food place, has these arabesque rugs and crockery. Sugarmoo, a desert place, has this sweet splash of pink. Cow prints on the walls dominate the area and become a striking feature. Kishmish, an authentic Afghan restaurant, showcases artworks from artists with the same roots. Emirati coffee, a speciality coffee roastery adds this industrial chicness touch. A pop-up shop, Piñata, that serves Mexican fusion food transformed the space into a burst of colours and nostalgia.

One Third curates simple honest spaces to enhance the communities we live in through quality interactions. At the center, of it all, is a stage highlighted by live activations showcasing local talents. Located in the heart of the Neighborhood Mall, Dar Wasl, the food hall experience defies the cliché type of restaurants or food courts. It has this accessible and hidden-gem feel that is resonant all throughout the destination.