Inside Lion in the Sun: A Conversation with Richard Saunders

We spoke with Richard Saunders, Founder of First Within, the acclaimed London-based interior design studio, about the reinvention of Lion in the Sun for its global debut in Downtown Dubai. Known for their narrative-driven approach, First Within crafted the restaurant as a heritage era inspired mansion above the clouds – a refined, intimate retreat where guests feel both transported and at home. Richard takes us through the project’s evolution, from initial concept shifts to the sensory experience designed to captivate visitors.

What was the starting point for your creative vision when reimagining Lion in the Sun for its global debut in Dubai?

The project began as an entirely different proposition. However, through months of close dialogue with the client team, it became evident that the location offered a far richer opportunity than first anticipated. This shift in understanding prompted a redefinition of the brief and the exploration of a more ambitious conceptual narrative. From this evolution, Lion in the Sun emerged: a colonial-inspired mansion above the clouds, imagined as a refined yet intimate culinary retreat. The vision was to transport guests into a place that feels both personal and escapist, where a sense of home is elevated by breathtaking views and a quietly confident elegance.

The original retreat in Malindi carries a legacy of effortless elegance. How did you capture its spirit while reimagining it for the vibrant rhythm of Downtown Dubai?

The existing architectural envelope played a defining role in shaping the design. The main dining room, with its elongated proportions and generous ceiling height, provided the perfect framework for reinterpreting the Makuti ceiling, an unmistakable reference to the original Malindi retreat. This feature became the emotional anchor of the space, capturing the essence of Lion in the Sun while offering a powerful contrast to its urban setting. The design carefully balances heritage and context, allowing guests to feel transported while remaining deeply connected to Downtown Dubai and its iconic skyline, with uninterrupted views of the Burj Khalifa.

Hospitality is described as the emotional core of the project. What feelings or impressions did you want guests to experience the moment they step inside?

The primary ambition was to create an immediate sense of ease. From the moment guests arrive, the space is intended to feel relaxed, welcoming and instinctively familiar. Whether dining within the main restaurant or moving out onto the rooftop terrace, the experience is deliberately unpretentious designed to feel more like a private home than a formal dining venue. Warmth, comfort and accessibility underpin every design decision, encouraging guests to settle in and stay.

Open-fire cooking shapes the restaurant’s culinary identity. How did this elemental ritual inform your spatial and material choices?

Fire was a fundamental starting point for the project. As the African narrative evolved, open-fire cooking became a natural extension of the concept, recalling the intimacy of communal gatherings and shared moments around a central hearth. This idea informed both the spatial organisation and material palette. Terracotta-toned herringbone mosaics wrap the show kitchen walls, introducing warmth, tactility and a sense of depth. The kitchen is fully integrated into the dining room, offering uninterrupted views of the chefs at work, with the fire-cooking zone positioned as a powerful focal point within the space.

Lion in the Sun has become a cultural destination as much as a dining one. How did you design for both atmosphere and identity?

Atmosphere was always intended to feel calm, layered and effortless. A palette of light, refined finishes, ivory tones, soft textures and natural timbers was carefully curated to establish a sense of timelessness and ease. The identity of Lion in the Sun was developed in parallel with the guest experience, ensuring that design, narrative and hospitality are inseparable. Each space was considered not only for its visual impact, but for how it contributes to an emotional journey resulting in an environment where atmosphere and identity are intrinsically linked.

The rooftop terrace offers a distinct extension of the experience. How did you approach this outdoor setting?

The rooftop terrace was conceived as a refined outdoor living room, an elegant contrast to the interior spaces while remaining fully connected to the overall narrative. Black and white pinstriped fabrics introduce a timeless, graphic quality, referencing classic colonial elegance. An indoor/outdoor drinks bar acts as the social heart of the terrace, complemented by a semi-private dining room that offers intimacy without isolation. As day transitions into night, a bespoke lighting feature subtly transforms from sun to moon, marking the passage of time and your place on this unique terrace overlooking Dubai. This gentle shift creates a cinematic atmosphere, allowing the rooftop to evolve seamlessly from daytime retreat to evening destination.