Taiga Dining and House Bar

Taiga Dining and House is the newest hole-in-the-wall restaurant and bar in Conrad Singapore. Taiga Dining seats 11 diners and serves an omakase menu. Across the hotel foyer is House, a rare cosy bar for intimate gatherings and quiet solitude, nestled in the commercial district in a very urban Singapore.

The client approached us with a simple brief - to create a sushi-ya with a bar and private dining. Our first thought was how fortunate we were to contribute a small piece of architecture within Regent Singapore, which was Portman Architects’ first ‘atrium hotel’ outside the US. 

Just as Portman brought the exterior tropical environment of Singapore into the hotel atrium, we were inspired by the topography of the Kōchi Prefecture, where chef Taiga is from. We wanted our design to complement and layer upon his history, his practice, and the depth of his omakase experience.

We were excited for the diners to come with us on a journey through the mountainous region of Kōchi, and combined with the food offered, we hoped that the dining experience would be one that is atmospheric, and immersive. We wanted the diners to feel like they are a part of our design journey, and not merely a passive observer of the space.

The journey begins at the hotel foyer. To the left - Taiga Dining; to the right - House. Both entrances are disguised as diptych sculptural relief paintings depicting rockscape.

From here and through the paintings, diners set out on their journey at the foothills. The entrance experience and sequence is deliberate and slow. Diners then ascend upwards through a narrow crevice in the mountain that leads to a cave, where they are invited to begin their gastronomical experience at the sushi counter.

Across the foyer at House, the sun sets and the moon rises. Under the moonlight, diners are welcomed to savour some of the best sake as the night falls away. House is anchored by a face-edged feature wall, where bottles proudly perch. 

The private dining room is tucked away where guests dine in absolute privacy under the stars.