WME was appointed under the lead consultant and architect for building services and Architect of Record services for the refurbishment of the Saffron Restaurant, the significant all day dining restaurant for the iconic destination hotel, Atlantis the Palm, Dubai.

The design was managed within a restricted programme to mitigate closure time within this operational hotel, and delivered within the constraints of the existing capacities of service allocations defined by the development area. Blending existing installations with new, the WME design team worked closely with the architects, interior designers and kitchen consultants to deliver the new restaurant to achieve an enhanced guest experience with reconfigured food stations and open finishing kitchens, within an elevated dining space.

Located on the west side of the property underneath the conference centre and opening out to the pool deck, the restaurant at circa 1,500m2 was refurbished to provide 9 new food stations within the new light, bright and airy ambiance. WME worked closely with Atlantis the Palm to determine opportunities for re-use and refurbishment of equipment, contributing to environmental sustainable aspirations, yet defining clearly interface points for all services where existing would become new. A key parameter of success was the HVAC within the restaurant, with the movement of existing and introduction of new food stations and open kitchens, WME worked to ensure that new and existing HVAC installations were designed to provide the necessary catering extract within the balanced, flexible and comfortable environmental conditions for future diners.