Bringing a Household Brand to the International StageBrief & BackgroundJamie’s Italian Dubai, situated within the Jumeirah Beach Resort represents the first of many restaurants which Blacksheep have been influential in developing to support the brand’s international expansion plans. The prestigious location of the restaurant was to be key to the brief. The Jumeirah Beach Resort, with its striking wave design and spectacular views to the Burj Al Arab, remains one of the region’s most iconic landmarks. The much loved household name wanted to bring the classic and traditional Jamie’s feel to the location, whilst also ensuring it considered the unique location, cultures and customs of the  SolutionWith striking views to the harbour already framing the destination, the team set about enhancing this feature whilst embracing the existing architecture of the new build site, situated on the ground floor of the hotel.  The space, a circular form, presented its own unique challenges and opportunities. Whilst the unusual shape of the site adds intrigue to the space, the Blacksheep team had to think creatively about how best to influence this existing architecture to add desirable dining pockets within the main space. Blacksheep created a semi enclosed circular space within the centre of the restaurant to form an intimate dining experience, framed by metal screens with open and closed glass detail. The overall result provides the guest with privacy whilst also reminding them of the wider restaurant setting and beautiful views throughout. The space also presents the guest with that theatrical element with views into the open kitchen, a staple feature in Jamie’s Italian, as well as a circular display decorated with branded gifts and products, mixed with locally sourced  entrance of the restaurant plays home to a welcoming deli area and pasta marketplace which houses a range of Jamie Oliver merchandise including cookbooks and products for holiday makers and locals to experience the full Jamie’s Italian journey. This space gives guests the opportunity to dine while watching the chefs prepare freshly made pasta on site daily, again referencing theatre as well as providing the guest with an insight into the special world of Jamie’s Italian cooking traditions and  antipasti bar is also a key feature within the design of the overall scheme. It focuses on local artisan breads and other locally sourced produce to again reinforce that subtle hint towards the culture of the location. The wider restaurant focuses on the wonderful views to the harbour and provides a natural transcendence onto the outdoor terrace area, allowing guests to enjoy the breath-taking  ensure the restaurant as a whole provided an experience responsive to the Dubai dining culture and ethos, a number of classic Jamie’s materials were given a subtle twist to add an increased focus on comfort and refinement, unique to the location. Industrial style chairs were softened by adding upholstery and plush padding. A range of high spec black marble finishes were also added throughout the main bar and antipasti bar as well as the open kitchen and some restaurant table tops, to give a hint towards luxury, combined with the traditional Jamie’s reclaimed  a range of bespoke lighting imported from the UK, a key feature found in all Jamie’s Italians, is strong throughout, reinforcing that classic Jamie’s feel, customers throughout the globe have come to know and love.