Fireworks: A Unique Dining Experience by Henry Chebaane

Revolutionizing the Classic Steakhouse with a Blend of Art, Mythology, and Technology

Fireworks is more than just a restaurant; it's a place high in symbolism and sensory stimulation. The entrance features two dragon skulls, representing the mythology of fire as opposite but complementary natural forces. The restaurant is entered via a ceremonial canopy of glowing metal rods, translucent bricks, and wooden blocks, symbolizing the ritualistic elements of grilling and roasting with live fire.

The unique properties of the restaurant lie in its aesthetic drama and taste sensations. The walls and ceilings are adorned with elements repeated in different compositions of light, shadow, and textures. One of the most striking features is a piece of 4-dimensional conceptual art, a composition of several hundred walnut bricks cracked open by a massive lighting bolt, revealing a metalized glass surface that softly glows in red and amber tones, evolving throughout the day and night.

The restaurant uses DMX protocol to simulate various lighting and fire effects, transforming the perception of the space from lunch all the way to dinner and late night. The aim is to entertain and surprise people, creating a new dining experience that never gets boring. The restaurant, spanning 470 SqM, includes a bar space with private dining, a show kitchen, and an outside terrace.

The design of Fireworks was inspired by the philosophy and legends about fire, particularly in Turkey, Georgia, Persia, and Central Asia. The project took five months of research into lighting effects and scenography, followed by six months of design from London. The restaurant was delivered and opened in Baku at the end of 2014.

Fireworks has overcome the challenge of creating a steakhouse like no other, an innovative space that can accommodate and please most age groups. The restaurant is designed to provide an alternative take on the classic steakhouse, taking visitors into a surreal universe celebrating fire as a source of warmth, protection, and good grilled food. The entire space is a complete kinetic art installation where wall bricks glow like embers, smoke comes from the kitchen area, and every 30 minutes lighting strikes appear pulsing from the bar counter and from within cracks in the ceiling.

Fireworks has been recognized for its innovative design, winning the Golden A' Lighting Products and Fixtures Design Award in 2017. This award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.