NAYLA OTNOMUS

Bridging Lebanon and Las Vegas through interior design

At MAC.ARCHI, we believe architecture can do more than define space; it can reconnect people to their roots. When designing a Lebanese restaurant in Las Vegas, our vision was to create a space that brings the diaspora closer to home. Located within the innovative Otonomus Hotel, the world’s first AI-powered aparthotel developed by the Lebanese-American entrepreneur Philippe Ziade, this project integrates cultural identity with contemporary design.

For many Lebanese living abroad, memories of home are tied to warm lights, familiar textures, and beloved melodies. Our goal was to translate these emotions into architectural form, crafting a place where identity and nostalgia are felt from the moment you enter. 

To achieve this, the plastered walls were finished with a textured surface that recalls the character of traditional Lebanese houses. Into these walls, arched niches were carved, inspired by the courtyards and mountain residences of Lebanon. These arches bring rhythm and softness to space, while also symbolizing continuity and resilience. While stone flooring was introduced to establish a sense of permanence, the muted tones were used to reflect Lebanon’s natural landscapes, from ancient ruins to mountain paths. From the ground up, the design continues to layer memory. The bar counter was wrapped in terracotta fluting that recalls the warmth of Lebanese rooftops. At its base, a mosaic inlay was added to celebrate Mediterranean craftsmanship.

Behind the bar, wooden lattice panels were installed as a reference to mashrabiya screens, which once filtered light and created intimacy in Lebanese homes. Solid wood chairs upholstered in floral fabrics recall family salons, while stone-like terrazzo tables reinterpret the terrazzo floors found in old Beirut apartments, now presented in a refined hospitality setting.

The coffered ceiling was articulated as a subtle nod to traditional interiors, while brass and glass fixtures were integrated to diffuse light gently, recreating the glow of lanterns that once lit Beirut streets. To complement these crafted details, nature was brought indoors. Olive trees in stone planters were placed as living symbols of endurance, peace, and rootedness. Their presence transports guests to the Mediterranean landscape and creates a continuity between architecture and nature.

The kitchen façade was also designed to recall culture. Carved mashrabiya screens were used to frame the shawarma rotisseries, turning food preparation into a shared experience and reinforcing Lebanon’s tradition of hospitality.

Last but not least, the central feature of this space is a life-sized statue of Fayrouz. Positioned with care and softly lit, her presence is more than symbolic. She represents the voice of Lebanon, one that lives in the hearts of its people, wherever they may be.

Through this layered approach, every material from plaster and stone to terracotta, wood, terrazzo, brass, and greenery was chosen with care. Each element enriches the aesthetic while carrying cultural meaning, turning design into memory.

This project is not about recreating the past but about honoring it, allowing heritage to live and evolve through architecture. For the Lebanese community abroad, this space offers a moment of connection. For us, it reflects our commitment to designing spaces that speak to identity, memory, and emotion.

The interior of NAYLA Restaurant was carefully chosen to cultivate a serene dining atmosphere where modern sophistication meets subtle cultural echoes.