Honu Poke and Matcha Bar

The clients were young entrepreneurs wanting to create a fast casual eatery focusing on serving fresh Poké bowls and Matcha drinks. Their brief was to create a comfortable space for diners which capture the chill-tropical vibe of island life without going too thematic.

The site was previously an old Italian restaurant located on a commercial plot in one of the main roads in Kemang area. It is a long lean plot approximately about 100 square meter in size. The main constraints were budget and time.

The approach when designing the interior was a wholesome brand-oriented approach. A complete understanding of the brand identity was crucial in achieving what the clients were after. Honu which means green sea turtle in Hawaiian is a symbol of luck, endurance and longevity in their culture. Honu serves Poke, which is a traditional Hawaiian dish made of raw marinated fish topped with salad served on a bed of rice. Whilst for the beverage, Matcha is a drink made of finely ground green tea powder.

Understanding the core business and brand identity led us to idea of choosing the color green is a dominant design element. Choosing materials was an integral part of the design approach for this project. We chose only 3 types of material; natural timber, paint, and ceramic tile. This was done to save cost as well as to keep the interior clean and minimal. The result is a calm soothing space, which reflects a relaxing tropical vibe without needing too much additional décor to complete the look.