This 10,000 SF restaurant and bar is conceptualized as the western expatriate’s “home-away-from-home” and is organized along the metaphorical spaces of a house. The ground floor introduces the strong axial organization of the project: a clear shot from the bar through a fireplace lounge to the powerful form of the central staircase and wine bar. The upper level contains the main restaurant and continues the “house” theme with semi-private rooms around the crown of the central stair.

The stringerless staircase rises within a mahogany enclosure. The structure’s skin erodes from top to bottom, the upper floor shielded by solid panels, wine storage at mid-level, and an open stand-up wine counter at its base. Simple stylized forms, custom furnishings, signature steel-blue velvet drapes, and classical images mark the project aesthetic.