This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features Siddharta Lounge, Dubai. LW Design's ode to Buddhism through contemporary restaurant design. Utilising the aesthetics of spirituality to gain true design enlightenment.
Plants & trees are used to evoke feelings of relaxation and harmonise the interior and exterior spaces, which in turn compliments the extraordinary 360 degree views across Dubai Marina.
Inspired by the spiritual teacher, the Buddha, Siddharta Lounge in Grosvenor House offers an modern experience juxtaposed by nature. The interior is focused around a exotic, botanical theme. Eclectic accessories accentuate the concepts of Buddhism. The use of bi-folding doors creates a seamless transformation which allows the guests to experience the restaurant as both an indoor and outdoor space, where statement plants and lights create extra ambience for guests to soak up.
SBID had the opportunity to speak with Sian Whitmore, Senior FF&E Designer at LW Design.
Company: LW Design
Project: Siddharta Lounge
Project Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
What was the client’s brief?
The brief was to completely refurbish the restaurant inside & out and in doing so create a new generation of Siddharta Lounge for the Buddha Bar brand. We were tasked with maximising seating & views across Dubai Marina & the Arabian Gulf. We feel that we have achieved a truly integrated space blending the inside and outside space whilst creating something fresh, vibrant & exciting to stand out from the competition.
What inspired the design of the project?
The Bodhi tree under which Siddhartha Gautama, the spiritual teacher later became known as the Buddha, is said to have attained enlightenment, provides the main inspiration behind the new look Siddharta Lounge. Statement green walls and built-in planting throughout create a lush and vibrant ambience. Bi-folding doors open up the main restaurant and transform the space, seamlessly blurring the boundaries between the interior and exterior environment. Concrete graphic walls continue the botanical theme both inside and out, adding a more urban and edgy element to the design. Lighting plays a key role within the space to create drama and atmosphere and transform the venue from day to night. Eclectic accessories featuring rustic woven baskets and stone Buddha heads, accent furniture pieces and dip dyed macramé pendant lights add a handcrafted feel and a sense of travel to exotics climes. All of this comes together to create a truly tropical and relaxing vibe.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
The main challenge of the refurbishment was the re-working of certain elements to follow the new design aesthetic. The other main challenge was down to time constraints. With a very short time frame to complete the refurbishment we had to be very mindful and selective about the availability of all items and materials specified.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
The primary highlight of the project for us was having the opportunity and creative freedom to create a new hot spot in Dubai’s thriving social scene. We are able to drive the brand into a fresh new direction and as a result, witness its success within the competitive marketplace.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
We recognise the SBID awards as amongst the top design awards in the industry celebrating design excellence. To be shortlisted together with other inspirational international projects is a privilege. It is a perfect opportunity for us to showcase our design capabilities and to introduce ourselves to the UK market having recently opened up a design branch in London.
Questions answered by Sian Whitmore, Senior FF&E Designer at LW Design.
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We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
LW DESIGN | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the prodigious and monumentally ambitious project of introducing the Robinsons department store to one of the most alluring cities of the Middle East and distinguished shopping destinations of the United Arab Emirates.
Iconic Singapore department store Robinsons made its debut in the Middle East in Spring 2017 with the launch of a spectacular 200,000 square foot store at Dubai Festival City —the first of a collection of stores to follow in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). HMKM drew inspiration from Robinsons’ roots — in particular, from Singapore’s lush terrain and contemporary architecture. That dynamic runs through every aspect of the design, starting with dramatic facades which blend vertical gardens by renowned French botanist Patrick Blanc, animated screens and interlacing lines of timber and polished brass. Built around a series of spectacular hero experiences, the store’s design creates a distinctive new identity for Robinsons in the Middle East, celebrating its rich Singaporean heritage while looking firmly to the future.
Company: HMKM
Project: Robinsons
To create a store of inspirations! The aim was to build the largest department store in the region, at 200,000 sqft. with 600 local, regional and international brands. The first of a collection of stores to follow in the GCC. Robinsons was to offer three magnificent floors of contemporary and designer fashion, food, art and culture experiences. From 90 exclusive brands to a number of multi-tiered premium services, guests will delight in an immersive journey making each visit more enchanting than the last. Almost 160 years after it was first established, iconic Singapore department store Robinsons will arrive in the Middle East with the launch of a spectacular store of inspiration at Dubai Festival City.
HMKM’s vision draws its inspiration from Robinsons’ roots — in particular, from Singapore’s blend of green landscapes and edgy contemporary architecture — to produce a scheme founded on the notion of a future landscape. That dynamic runs through every aspect of the design, starting with a series of dramatic external and internal facades which blend large-scale animated screens with sinuous, interlacing lines of timber, bronze anodised aluminium and polished brass, alongside the large-scale vertical garden walls and columns by world renowned visionary botanist designer, Patrick Blanc. Throughout the interior, contemporary forms and digital elements are balanced with warm materials and lush planting.
How do you create a 200,000 sqft new department store in a unique and inspiring way? The answer was to employ a boutique design approach to the whole store design providing bespoke backdrops to the 600 brands, 90 of which are exclusive to Robinsons and including the first John Lewis to the region. A rich palette of materials and craftsmanship were employed throughout the store. For example in Menswear, the department is centred on a central pavilion defined by a slatted oak ceiling raft and fleshed out with herringbone leather panelled walls, end-grain oak flooring, warm lacquers and dark metal frames. In Beauty, the department presents a studio-style make-up zone framed in shimmering metal, centred under a bespoke geometric light installation and floored in honed Palissandro Classico and Kalliston marbles. Fragrance gets a softer feel, with rich marble and brass textures, soft Deco chandeliers and plush seating. In designing and planning the store, significant areas are dedicated to exceptional customer service including specialist tailoring suites for male and female local dress; bespoke printing, a cobbler, and personal shopping.
Realising the Boutique design to each of the category departments within a store of this size. Built around a series of spectacular hero experiences, its design creates an immediate, distinctive new identity for Robinsons within the Middle East, reflecting and celebrating its rich Singaporean heritage whilst looking ahead firmly to the future.
We are exceptionally proud to have been part of this well executed Robinsons store in the Middle East. The SBID awards, in particular the retail category, reflects the quality and prestige befitting this project.
Questions answered by Paul Digby, Creative Director at HMKM.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with Portview Fit-Out for Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, click here to see more
HMKM | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features David Chang's Poly Garden Presentation Center. The Poly Garden Presentation Centre, located in Zhaoqing at the west end of the Pearl River Delta of Guangdong Province, China, is a truly exquisite residential project. The project was inspired by traditional Chinese culture yet the design is also modern in appearance. David Chang and his team pulled inspiration from both Western and Chinese culture, namely Emperor Song Huizong and the Song Dynasty (AD 1118) as well as beautiful Chinese calligraphy, to create a breathtaking project that also serves to regenerate the area surrounding it.
SBID had the opportunity to speak with David Chang, Founder of David Chang Design Associates International.
Company: David Chang Design Associates International
Project: Poly Garden Presentation Center
Project Location: Zhaoqing, China
The project is located in Zhaoqing, and Zhaoqing is a prefecture-level city in west end of Pearl River Delta of Guangdong Province, China. Zhaoqing Poly Garden is a multi-family residential project, which was developed by state-owned developer, Poly Real Estate Group. The entire project covers an area of 140,000 square meters with buildable area of 360,000 square meters. The project is considered to be a major residential development that will regenerate the area and therefore upgrade the living standard of the city. This Client wanted to create a unique presentation center which embraces both western and Chinese culture in a modern yet classic context.
In the Song Dynasty (AD 1118) the 8thEmperor Song Huizong changed the name of Duanzhou to Zhaoqing, meaning “the auspicious beginning of a festival”. Emperor Song Huizong possessed many talents which included painting, horse riding, archery and calligraphy. Notably he created a Chinese calligraphy font now called I“Shoujinti”; meaning “slim golden font”. We incorporated the aesthetics of his calligraphy and silken painting style to develop the concept for the interior architectural space and integrated these into the detailing and motifs throughout the complex. The finely detailed and serene wall paintings, glass panel and mirror fretwork, refined railings and flowing line chandeliers all chronicle Emperor Song Huizong’s contribution to Chinese culture. We juxtaposed these references with classic Greek Corinthian columns and pediments that were used to pronounce the foyers leading from the central octagonal congregating hall to the display model area, bar, lobby and negotiating areas.
The original structure had no skylight in the center of the building. In order to bring a large influx of sunlight into the inner building, we used inspiration from local architecture - a courtyard space found in Southern China, to create a 14 meter dome with a skylight. Not only does it give the space a sense of grandeur, but it also allows ample natural light to shine through.
The delicate colour palette of black, grey and white is inspired by the aesthetic of the historic Chinese calligraphy brush, ink and ink stone. Soft veined marble in traditional fretwork patterns once again echo the delicate Song Dynasty influences. The soaring 14 metre high Octagonal-shaped Hall is crowned with a luminous stained glass skylight creating a strong sense of grandeur that reverberates throughout the entire project. Lofty gallerias and illuminated, tenderly curved barrel vaulted ceilings also echo this majestic ambience.
We desired to share our amazing design with the world, and SBID is an international and prestigious award, which not only recognises the excellence in design but also serves as an excellent channel to expose it to the world.
Questions answered by David Chang, Founder of David Chang Design Associates International
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with Hôtel Royal Savoy Click Here
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David Chang Design Associates International Ltd | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's installment of the #SBIDinspire series features AB Concept, 2016 finalist from the Restaurant category in the SBID Awards. AB Concept are behind the striking Dynasty Restaurant project located in Hong Kong. Inspired by the traditional Xiguan Mansions of Guangzhou in China, Dynasty Restaurant, meaning ‘Full of Happiness’, preserves the quintessential elements of the architecture and style of this heritage. SBID had the opportunity to speak with Ed Ng and Terence Ngan, Founders of AB Concept.
Company: AB Concept
Project: Dynasty Restaurant
Project Location: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
The clients were looking for a renovation of the iconic restaurant to enrich the space by telling a story from Chinese culture. Once we were able to pinpoint the direction we were headed towards in terms of overall design and architecturally, everything else flowed organically.
The project was inspired by traditional Xiguan mansions of Guangzhou, China. Dynasty Restaurant, meaning “Full of Happiness” in Mandarin, preserves the quintessential elements of the architecture and style of this heritage.
The challenge was retaining the history and core spirit of the established restaurant, whilst at the same time bringing a fresh and modern ambience to the space. Without forgetting that the roots of the restaurant lie in its exceptional Cantonese cuisine, the concept of the Xiguan Mansion ties back to this history and heritage - this is expressed through the bamboo artwork that mimics the Lingnan landscape painting, grey bricks and motifs reminiscent of the era, exquisite window shapes, and each PDR named after the indigenous districts of the region.
Our highlight was the feature artwork made out of bamboo pieces, which is an ode to a traditional Lingnan landscape painting and prominently display as the graceful focal point of the main dining area. Divided into two parts measuring 6x6 metres on one side and 6x10 metres on the other, the artwork is comprised of 13,600 pieces of bamboo and delicately layered over gold-leaf paper. The artwork was a customised piece and the largest bamboo painting display in Hong Kong.
It was really a no brainer to submit our project, as the award is internationally recognised by all in the industry. It is a great platform to participate in, not only to share our recently completed projects, but to also engage with designers all over the world, finding inspirations and seeing what everyone else is doing in their practices.
Questions answered by Ed Ng and Terence Ngan, Founders of AB Concept
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with Atelier PRO Architekten Click Here
AB Concept | SBID International Design Awards 2016
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