This proposal addresses the final-year project brief for the Undergraduate degree, which is to design a catering space in the Central Pavilion of the Casa da Arquitetura.

"Maze" is a traditional Egyptian restaurant inspired by the atmosphere of a labyrinth and the vernacular architecture of Egypt. The project transforms dining into an immersive experience, inviting visitors to discover Egyptian flavours, textures and culture through a carefully designed spatial journey.

The experience unfolds through a sequence of distinct spaces, beginning with a narrow, low-ceilinged entrance that sparks curiosity, followed by an open dining area with a brass-clad counter where meals are prepared in front of the guests. The journey continues into the labyrinth, a more intimate environment illuminated by traditional Arabic lanterns, where diners are seated on poufs over a pigmented sand floor, reinforcing the contemplative character of the space.

By combining gastronomy, architecture and spatial storytelling, "Maze" proposes a new way of experiencing a restaurant, celebrating a cuisine that remains relatively unexplored in Portugal while creating a dialogue between Egyptian culture and the Casa da Arquitetura.