February 25, 2021

Chinese National by EDG Interior Architecture + Design: 2020 Best of Year Winner for Hotel Dining

Photography by Owen Raggett.

The developer behind the Swisshôtel Jakarta consulted EDG’s Singapore arm after concluding that the property lacked multiple restaurants, not to mention a dedicated breakfast area. Up for the challenge were partner and managing director Michael Goodman—a former executive chef—and creative director Piya Thamchariyawat, who responded with a sprawling culinary destination for the hotel, one that serves as a single breakfast space by day and four distinct eateries at night. 

Photography by Owen Raggett.

For Letterpress, the tea lounge and bar, Chinoiserie panels and a metal rail inspired by printing blocks craft a vintage vibe. Meanwhile, at the adjoining dumpling/noodle shop Iron and Needle, stained glass nods to the urban landscape of Hong Kong, while marble tabletops and painted wood paneling evoke traditional teahouses. The firm then employed a fiery palette of copper and gunmetal to complement Black Powder Red’s spicy Szechuan menu. Finally, there’s the project’s pièce de résistance, a central carving table at Paperduck, a Cantonese hit.

Photography by Owen Raggett.

Project Team: Michael Goodman; Piya Thamchariyawat. 

> See the full list of winners and honorees from Best of Year 2020

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