The 9th Cut: Where Vision Meets Craft
Manu Abraham, Managing Director of Aujan Interiors, and Wajih Sleiman, Founder of YANU, share the design narrative behind THE 9TH CUT at Novotel, Al Barsha, Dubai
When culinary artistry and immersive design come together, the result is more than a meal—it becomes a transformative experience. That philosophy is embodied in The 9th Cut, a concept steakhouse located at Novotel, Al Barsha, Dubai. The restaurant seamlessly blends the theatricality of open-flame butchery with an exquisitely detailed interior narrative. What diners see is an evocative, sensory-rich environment. What they don’t see is the immense technical expertise, perseverance, and collaboration that turned this vision into a tangible, operable space.
At the heart of this project is a bold idea: to tell a story not just through taste, but through texture, materiality, light, and form. Designed by B3 Designers, The 9th Cut is as much about the ritual of dining as it is about architectural storytelling. Bringing this concept to life fell to Aujan Interiors, who led the fit-out execution alongside YANU, ensuring every detail served both aesthetic and operational goals.
Vision in Stone: The Challenge of the Counters
Among the most striking features at The 9th Cut are the service counters, particularly the central live cooking counter. The design intent was to mimic real stone—natural, raw, and unapologetically tactile. Initially, real stone materials such as slate and natural rock from premium suppliers were considered. However, these posed significant limitations. Their weight threatened the integrity of elevated surfaces, and the logistical challenges tied to sourcing and installation risked derailing the timeline.
The solution came through innovation. Aujan’s team, in collaboration with a talented artisan group, embarked on an R&D journey exploring decorative plaster techniques. The breakthrough was a hand-carved decorative plaster finish that emulated the richness of stone while remaining lightweight and durable. This technique was used on all service counters and became a defining texture of the space—organic in its appearance but engineered for modern hospitality operations.
The Iconic Metal Feature: Capturing Smoke in Steel
The live cooking station at The 9th Cut is more than a utility—it’s a performance stage. Above it floats a visually stunning metal ceiling feature, conceptualised to represent the gentle waft of smoke rising from sizzling meats. Far from a functional extractor, this was intended as a symbolic and sculptural element.
This concept proved technically complex. Initial attempts to simulate the smoky illusion through dynamic lighting fell flat. The design team sought a more poetic execution. The answer arrived through collaboration with a metal artist from Australia. Using advanced parametric modelling, a curved metal panel with precision-cut perforations was developed. When paired with a bespoke lighting system, the effect mimics the ethereal movement of smoke—soft, atmospheric, and ever-changing based on lighting conditions.
The engineering challenge lay in aligning lighting, curvature, and perforations with absolute precision. Today, this floating form is not just a visual signature, but a mood-setter, drawing eyes upward and anchoring the space.
Walls That Speak: Tiltable Panels with Travertine Finish
Functionality and innovation converge once again in the custom tiltable wall panels. These are not passive partitions but interactive architectural elements designed to enhance light layering and user engagement. The design required that the panels tilt forward, revealing integrated lighting elements while maintaining a stone-like appearance.
Aujan’s team created a proprietary mechanism allowing controlled tilting, combined with a textured travertine paint finish that replicated the look and feel of stone without the associated weight. The panels shift both literally and atmospherically, playing with depth, dimension, and light—a true example of design meeting engineering ingenuity.
Precision Underfoot and Overhead
Attention to detail extended to every inch of the space. The flooring design incorporated inset panels with intricate decorative features aligned with the restaurant’s spatial narrative. Overhead, a sweeping curved ceiling conceals diffused lighting and integrated MEP services, all coordinated with surgical accuracy.
The ceiling’s continuous flow required flawless coordination between fit-out teams and engineering experts. Air conditioning diffusers, lighting fixtures, and structural framing were all embedded within the design, creating a seamless canopy that softly envelops the space without disrupting its fluidity.
Lighting throughout the project was elevated from a functional requirement to a storytelling medium. From the under-counter glows to precise spotlighting on the butcher’s display, every luminaire was chosen for its ability to accentuate material textures and frame spatial experiences.
Collaboration at the Core
One of the most significant contributors to The 9th Cut’s success was the synergy between stakeholders. From day one, Aujan Interiors, B3 Designers, YANU, and the client’s team operated in tandem. Each element—no matter how complex—was approached with a collaborative, solutions-driven mindset. Repeated mock-ups, material sampling, ergonomic testing, and design detailing reviews ensured that the final product was as functional as it was beautiful.
The presence of YANU during execution added an essential layer of insight. Their knowledge of back-of-house efficiency and customer flow was instrumental in fine-tuning layouts and ensuring that operational functionality was never compromised.
Value Engineering Without Design Compromise
Cost-efficiency without design dilution was another hallmark of this project. Rather than cutting corners, Aujan approached value engineering through reverse construction logic—reimagining how design elements could be executed with smarter methods or alternative materials.
Whether it was redesigning lighting mounts, simplifying complex joinery, or refining fabrication techniques for plaster finishes, every decision was made with the original design vision in mind. This approach allowed the project to remain within budget while still exceeding expectations in quality and impact.
Designed to Withstand Time
Durability was not an afterthought—it was an embedded principle. From solid timber joinery to corner-protected tiles in kitchen zones and high-performance finishes across surfaces, The 9th Cut was built to thrive in a high-traffic hospitality environment. These choices ensure that the space remains operationally resilient while preserving its luxurious appeal for years to come.
A Living Blueprint for Hospitality Fit-Out
The 9th Cut represents more than a completed project; it is a testament to what can be achieved when design, craftsmanship, and execution align. Every curve, texture, and fixture serve a purpose, telling a part of the restaurant’s story—one of boldness, innovation, and attention to every conceivable detail.
For Aujan Interiors, this project reaffirms a core philosophy: great design deserves great execution. With the support of visionary designers, on-ground intelligence from YANU, and an unwavering dedication to quality, The 9th Cut has emerged as a new benchmark for immersive dining environments in Dubai and beyond.
