YAYA by Juan Arbelaez
Scope of work
Restaurant Design
Location
Paris, France
Escape begins here…
With its seamless blend of inviting interiors and sun-drenched outdoor terraces, YAYA emerges from the new Docks district of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine like a radiant Mediterranean escape, glowing with the inimitable charm of Greek art de vivre.
The branding and interior design embrace this spirit through a palette of bright whites and serene blue hues, complemented by natural materials and organic textures. A striking, handcrafted light installation made from recycled rope anchors the space—merging sustainability with artistry.
YAYA’s name, drawn from the term of endearment the founders used for their Greek grandmother, captures the essence of the concept: fresh, familiar, and full of heart. Rooted in comfort food and cultural memory, the restaurant offers guests a taste of modern Greece with a soulful, family-inspired twist.
Yaya
An homage to the beloved Yaya (“grandmother” in Greek) of brothers and founders Pierre-Julien et Gregory Chantzios, Yaya is a joint effort with Colombian chef Juan Arbelaez, a rising star in the French culinary world, and Olivier Saguez, who wanted to create a modern Greek-style taverna open to the public at the Manufacture Design.
The freshness, simplicity & eleganceof the greek isles
South-facing double-height bay windows let in natural light. Mediterranean blue and white lime markings are softened by pastel tones and light wood on the mezzanine staircase and the sprawling bar counter. The open kitchen creates a warm link between clients and the oven brigade. A floor-to-ceiling wall of shelving organized like a giant pantry of Kalios products imports an air of elsewhere.
The spirit of astraw beach hut
Like a house in the Cyclades, where the architecture and the furniture blend together seamlessly, bench seating is set into the walls. Chairs and bar stools are covered in straw and driftwood-style raw wood. Nautical rope light fixtures evoke fishing nets. A graphic representation of pebbles in lime paint that recall street markings create a decorative floor by plastic artist Jean Oddes, who also designed a stylized wall map of Greece.
