A Café in Hail Takes Shape Around a Desert Rock

In Hail, a café built around a rock might sound like a gimmick, yet for this branch of Peacock Café by Movs Studio, co-founded by Ruben Movsisian and Catherine Tarasova, it became the starting point of the design. The project occupies an unfinished concrete frame standing beside a tall natural rock formation in a rapidly developing part of the city. New buildings continue to expand across the area, often meeting the desert landscape at its edges. Here, the rock quickly defined the architectural direction.“The rock shaped the project from the beginning, influencing the courtyard, the layout, and how people move through the café,” says Ruben Movsisian.

Part of the formation was carefully cut away during construction to create a small inner courtyard. Trees were planted inside this space, forming a quiet outdoor pocket at the centre of the café. Large windows frame the courtyard and draw daylight deep into the interior, keeping the rock present throughout the space.

Fragments removed during the excavation were reintroduced inside the café, where several stones were cut and polished along their upper and lower surfaces to form standing tables for short coffee breaks. Their presence connects the interior directly to the site’s geology while adding a sculptural element to the seating areas.

The interior itself follows a clear and practical approach. Most of the furniture was designed with local fabrication methods in mind and produced by artisans in the region, resulting in simple forms that prioritise comfort and everyday use.“We focused on simple materials, local craftsmanship, and furniture that feels practical and comfortable for everyday use,” says Catherine Tarasova.

Material choices remain restrained: exposed ceilings with visible ventilation, smooth grey plaster walls, dark-toned wood, and polished concrete floors detailed with thin brass inlays. Burgundy appears in upholstery and the bar tiles, adding depth within the otherwise muted palette.