Talkback by MAD Studio is a Portal to a 60s-Inspired Cosmic Diner

Violet palm trees, light blue comfy couches, and elliptical windows—Talkback at U-Venues is a portal to a retro-futurist alternate reality. When creative director Roaa Lofty envisioned a spaceship crash-landing in 1960s California as the restaurant’s conceptual starting point, Cairo-based MAD Studio set out to craft a space that warps both time and reality.

“The inspiration stemmed from retro-futurism—the way the past once envisioned the future. We set out to create a playful time capsule where vintage aesthetics collide with cosmic, otherworldly elements,” Mahmoud Abbas, founder of MAD Studio, tells SceneHome. “The goal was to transport guests into a dreamscape that feels both nostalgic and futuristic.”

Stepping inside Talkback feels like stepping into the future that never was—one straight out of ‘The Jetsons’, only bathed in soft Milky Way hues. It’s more than just an aesthetic; it’s a nostalgic nod to a time when people believed flying cars and hovering homes were just around the corner. That future never arrived, but its dreamy, space-age design did—and here, it thrives.

“Storytelling is at the heart of everything we create. Every detail—colour, material, and lighting—was carefully chosen to bring the tale of this ‘fallen spaceship’ to life, capturing its journey and transformation,” Abbas explains. “By weaving narrative into the design, we ensure that guests don’t just observe the space—they step into its story.”

At the heart of the design process was a spirit of relentless experimentation. To achieve the final vision, the design team let their imagination roam freely—layering materials, textures, and colouring techniques in a playful yet meticulous approach. 

“Striking a balance between bold concepts and practical needs is about harmonising creativity with functionality. While we experimented with unconventional materials and forms, durability, comfort, and maintenance were always at the forefront,” Abbas asserts, referring to the everyday use of the design. “The key is to push boundaries without compromising the real-world demands of a high-traffic space.”

Every detail tells a story: from the sleek metal chairs, which nod to Bauhaus ideals but through a Barbie-tinted lens, to the elongated arches carved into the walls, their ribbed translucent surfaces glowing like portals to another dimension. Each corner unfolds a multilayered narrative of retro-futurist design, echoing a dreamlike fusion of nostalgia and speculation. “Lighting is also essential—it shapes the atmosphere with soft glows, reflective highlights, and dynamic accents that evolve throughout the space.” Abbas notes, referring to the immersive feel of the experience. 

A tubular geometry takes command of the space, manifesting in multiple expressions. A wall clad in gleaming purple tubes echoes the ribbed detailing within the arches, while an oversized, undulating couch back slithers through the seating area like a sculptural current. Even the metal chairs, with their tubular cross-sections, reinforce the designer’s dedication to continuous flow within the variations of the design. 

“The design was crafted to evoke wonder, playfulness, and a surreal escape from the ordinary,” Abbas declares. “By weaving together storytelling, unexpected materials, dynamic lighting, and color psychology, the space became an experience. Every detail reinforces the narrative, inviting guests into a world that feels both futuristic and nostalgically familiar—like stepping into a forgotten dream of the future.”