Nestled atop a hill in Cairo, Escá Cueva is a new dining destination that blends modern architecture with the organic elegance of the human form. Conceptualized by Egyptian architects Badie Architects, this 5,300-square-foot venue is more than just a restaurant; it’s an immersive experience where design, nature, and comfort intertwine. The striking space, recently unveiled to the public, has quickly become a focal point for the city’s culinary scene.
At the heart of the concept lies an unconventional inspiration: the feminine form. Mohamed Badie, the founder and chief architect of Badie Architects, who earned his master’s in architecture from SCI-Arc, sought to evoke the complex elegance of the human body while maintaining a strong focus on comfort and functionality. “I was looking to reflect the body’s complex elegance, while prioritizing comfort and practicality,” Badie reflects. This vision, however, is not limited to the bodily silhouette. The venue also draws heavily from nature’s raw beauty, evident in the sweeping rock-like formations that permeate the space.
Farah Kamel, a junior architect at Badie Architects, captures the essence of the venue’s design when she says, “There is a sense of enclosure and intimacy, similar to what would be experienced in a grotto.” This is particularly fitting, as the word “cueva” in Latin translates to “cave.” True to its name, the design evokes a sense of calm seclusion, drawing diners into a cocoon of soft, flowing shapes that mirror the curves of the natural world.
The space offers an expansive dining terrace, which capitalizes on the breathtaking panoramic views of Cairo. Guests can enjoy the beauty of the city’s skyline while basking in the warmth of the soft, sun-filtered light, thanks to the architects’ thoughtful attention to the positioning of the restaurant. Inside, the structure has been reshaped to reflect organic forms—silhouettes inspired by the human body in motion. This dynamic combination of body and nature is accentuated by a tactile interplay of textures that ground the space.
The undulating contours of the design, though raw and elemental, were not easy to achieve. The architects turned to a mixture of cutting-edge 3D software and the meticulous craftsmanship of local artisans to bring this concept to life. The result is a breathtaking structure—one that wraps a steel skeleton in a cement-polymer mix, finished in the color of desert sand dunes. This technique allowed for a harmonious balance between technological innovation and traditional craft, ensuring that the space feels both contemporary and deeply connected to its local context.
The foundation of the scheme is rooted in tactile, earth-toned elements that anchor the space’s atmosphere. The ecru flooring, warm custom furniture, and earthy-toned leathers are illuminated by a thoughtful combination of natural and artificial light. Stretched ceiling fixtures mimic the soft, diffused glow of sunlight filtering through the restaurant’s rounded openings. Meanwhile, lighting fixtures embedded into the creases and depressions of the space enhance depth and texture, adding an ethereal quality to the design. Kamal, reflecting on the effect of the lighting, adds, “Blurring the lines between architecture and nature, the user and their surroundings, the strategic placement of lighting helped enhance the forms, creating a visual peace.”
