Bishop Design: Creating a Mesmerising Restaurant Design with an Ocean-Inspired Palette

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a mesmerising restaurant design by 2024 SBID Awards Finalist, Bishop Design.

Sereia, meaning 'Mermaid' in Portuguese, made it's debut on February 29th, 2024, in Miami's Coconut Grove. Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa and Sault Hospitality birthed this culinary gem, vowing excellence. Under Bishop Design's direction, the restaurant dazzles with bespoke interiors. Picture gracefully curved furniture and an ocean-inspired palette—blues, greens, and sandy hues merging seamlessly. The ambiance is mesmerising, both unique and welcoming, mirroring the culinary delights it serves. Among its charms, Sereia offers an intimate private room, accommodating up to twelve guests, ensuring every dining experience is as extraordinary as the Iberian Peninsula, from which it draws its inspiration.

What was the client's brief?

The client envisioned a sophisticated yet approachable dining destination that would celebrate the ocean and Iberian coastal culture, mirroring the culinary vision of two-Michelin-starred Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa. They wanted a space that would feel elegant yet inviting, with a natural flow between intimate indoor seating and a sun-dappled outdoor terrace. The goal was to craft an immersive environment that complements the refined simplicity of the menu while embracing the charm and warmth of Coconut Grove’s evolving dining scene.

What inspired the design of the project?

The design of Sereia is a subtle love letter to the sea, capturing the movement, textures, and colours of the ocean without being overtly thematic. Inspired by the Iberian coastline, we integrated a soothing Atlantic palette of rich blues and greens, complemented by natural woods, curved furniture, and textured elements that create a sense of depth and warmth. Soft, ambient lighting beneath banquettes and the wave-like bar adds an ethereal, floating effect, reinforcing the fluidity of the design. The cobbled flooring, reminiscent of the charming streets of Portugal, brings an al fresco dining essence indoors, seamlessly connecting the space with its coastal inspiration.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

One of the challenges was achieving a balance between intricacy and simplicity—creating a space that felt refined and luxurious while maintaining an inviting and effortless ambiance. Ensuring that the organic curves, textural contrasts, and layered lighting worked harmoniously required careful consideration and collaboration with craftsmen and contractors. Additionally, integrating the omakase-style crudo bar within the restaurant’s flow without disrupting the intimacy of the main dining space was another design challenge that we successfully navigated.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Seeing the vision come to life and witnessing the seamless interplay between the culinary artistry and the design was incredibly rewarding. The moment guests step into Sereia, they are enveloped in an ambiance that feels both transportive and welcoming. The integration of natural materials, soft lighting, and carefully curated details creates a space that doesn’t just serve as a backdrop but enhances the overall dining experience. The floating effect of the bar, in particular, stands out as a beautifully executed design element that elevates the space.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

Bishop Design has always been dedicated to pushing boundaries and redefining the hospitality experience through design. The SBID Awards are an incredible platform that celebrates excellence and innovation in the industry, and we wanted to showcase how Sereia embodies these principles. Entering the awards allowed us to share our creative approach with the global design community and recognize the incredible collaboration that made this project possible.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being an SBID Award Finalist is an honour that validates our commitment to design excellence and storytelling through space. It highlights the dedication of our team and the passion we bring to each project. This recognition has not only strengthened our industry presence but has also reinforced our mission to create inspiring, immersive spaces that leave a lasting impact.

Questions answered by Paul Bishop, Founder of Bishop Design.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a Colombian inspired restaurant design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Bishop Design.

Bishop Design was appointed to create a space inspired by South America, bringing the soul, culture, food, music, passion, and craftsmanship of the people to Dubai. En Fuego is a celebration of their richness. They wanted to create a space that would transport guests to places they might never have been.

What was the client's brief? 

From the onset, the Client clearly envisioned creating a venue that blends exceptional culinary innovation with an intrinsic curation of entertainment and talent, delivering the ultimate social dining experience and bringing something unprecedented to the region. Rather than everything being fabricated architectural repurposing was to play a key part in the design with each piece bringing its own story, adding depth and character to the space.

What inspired the design of the project?

Inspired by South America, predominantly Colombia we wanted to bring the soul, culture, food, music, passion,and craftsmanship of the people to Dubai. En Fuego is a celebration of their richness. We wanted to create a space that would transport you to places you might never have been. The wonder and excitement of these faraway corners enticed us to have fun designing something that would exhilarate the city.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

Sourcing the items to fill the ceiling was a challenging task. We often believed we had enough until they were suspended, only then realizing the need for more. This too presented its own challenges, as we strived to ensure that each item exuded the intended Colombian spirit and clearly represented the essence of South America. Fortunately, we successfully managed to capture the vibrant spirit and energy of Latin culture. The venue, as a whole, exudes a lively and dynamic atmosphere, infusing the region with bold, colourful energy. It boasts authenticity and possesses an abundance of character and soul, guaranteeing that everyone will discover their favourite moments within its walls. This is the true beauty of the space.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Paul Bishop, the owner, and founder of Bishop Design embarked on a journey to Colombia alongside a team of creative specialists. Together, they explored enchanting and unique antique shops, craft stores, markets, and personal collections. Their mission was to uncover items that would each contribute a distinctive story and soul to the restaurant's ambiance.

One of these captivating narratives revolves around Oliver, a local gentleman of 74 years who owned a quaint rooftop workshop nestled in the heart of Medellin. Over the past years, he had dedicated himself to crafting intricate models of the region's iconic decorated buses, known as Chivas. The team's encounter with Oliver took place at a flea market, where his unwavering commitment to his craft left an indelible impression. A visit to his workshop further solidified their admiration, leading them to acquire every available model for the project. These models represent his final creations, making his legacy a part of En Fuego in Dubai.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

Entering the SBID Awards was driven by our desire to be part of a celebration of design excellence. These events serve as a stage where our commitment to quality is recognized on a global scale. The awards offer validation that our designs align with the highest standards, making it a significant step in showcasing our dedication and expertise to a broader audience.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being named a Finalist for the Award is a tremendous honour and validation of the hard work and dedication our team puts into every project. It's not only a recognition of our design skills but also a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional results. This recognition bolsters our reputation within the industry and among our peers, highlighting our ability to consistently deliver design solutions of the highest calibre.

Questions answered by Paul Bishop, Owner and Founder of Bishop Design.