5 New Restaurants For Sheraton Grand Walkerhill. Seoul. Korea
The overall challenge:
The hotel was built 28 years ago and looked extremely dated, with a lack of lobby ambiance and with a poor first impression for arriving hotel guests. The restaurants were lackluster, run-down, lacked personality and a variety of seating options. In most of the restaurants the ceilings were very low, with very few windows. Our mission was to create 5 distinctly different memorable dining experiences, 3 of the restaurants were adjacent to each other, and the entry experiences were to be distinct lounge and tell a story.
Theatro - Lobby Lounge
The challenge:
The lobby looked extremely date and offered a negative first impression for arriving hotel guests. Circulation was poorly defined. The skylights were overgrown like a cave-like jungle and were poorly maintained. The columns were massive and an eye sore. The lighting was of poor quality. Our client canted to create a deli lounge in the center of the lobby.
The solution:
I envisioned the double-story lobby lounge to become a grand theatrical platform, slightly elevated by 2 lit steps, with a jewel-like back bar as the enticing visual backdrop when arriving at the hotel. The existing flared columns were giant, but looked squatty. I proposed to embellish them by adding inlaid brass trim to create a multi- facetted soaring theatrical appearance enhanced by the lighting at the ceiling level, and added a chiseled platinum metal base. A large crystal cherry branch installation is suspended above the elegant seating groups of the lobby lounge, creating an eerie, theatrical and sophisticated ambiance for tea and conversations. We named the deli Teatro and turned it into an elegant people viewing stage.
The entrance to the restaurant is inspired by bamboo gardens, interlaced with art and artifacts, providing a tranquil poetic queuing progression even when waiting times are long
All Day Dining Restaurant
The challenge:
Very low ceilings combined with only a few windows posed challenging limitations for the renovation of a very dated restaurant, with 385 seat requirements. Buffets are extremely desired in Korea and the waiting period for queuing guests can be 2 hours long. How do you create intimacy and choreograph unique dining experiences?
All Day Dining Restaurant inspired by a traditional Korean courtyard house
The solution:
To create an authentic dining experience, a traditional Korean courtyard house became the inspiration for creating a number of different dining areas “rooms” around a center “courtyard” with all the action stations and service counters. The series of defined dining areas create a sense of intimacy in spite of having a total of 385 seats. A theme of 4 seasons was overlaid to create a choreographed progression through the variation of colors and experiences that characterizes each season. The entrance is inspired by bamboo gardens, interlaced with art and artifacts, providing a tranquil poetic queuing progression even when waiting times are long. Materials and furnishings are all contemporary translations of Korean tradition.
Chinese Restaurant
The Challenge:
The new location for the Chinese restaurant was challenging due to very low ceiling heights at the entrance and a F&B program requiring mainly private dining rooms with a large number of size variations.
The entrance is designed to create a choreographed and powerful visual impact, instilling a story of fireworks, dragons and wine vessels.
The Solution:
The entrance was designed to create a choreographed and powerful visual impact, instilling a story of fireworks, dragons and wine vessels. Red metal cylinders are installed creating a dragon outline when peeking up into the ceiling, reminiscent of fire rockets. The walls are charred black, lacquered timber panels, reminiscent of walls having caught fire, leaving a poetic and very tactile first impression. The host stand is inspired by traditional Chinese wine vessels.
Japanese Restaurant
The Challenge:
The Owner wanted this restaurant to be inspired by the Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, but the new location for the Japanese restaurant was challenged by extremely low ceilings and few windows offering a majestic view over the river. A series of private dining rooms were to be integrated with a sushi bar and a smaller A la Carte dining area.
Inspired by the Kiyomi Zu temple in Kyoto, the entrance creates an instant sense of drama, seemingly connecting with nature and invites you to pause for reflection.
The Solution:
The entrance creates an instant sense of drama, seemingly connecting with nature and invites you to pause for reflection. Backlit raw chiseled stone panels, a dripping water feature with logo light projections create a bridge-sensation of awe and tranquility before entering the gradual ceremonial procession into the restaurant
with private dining rooms located to each side, and the A la Carte dining and sushi bar being the center points, revealing the sense of drama in a fanshaped room flanked with windows overlooking the river from above. A Japanese stone garden is located in the ceenter, visually connecting to a new outdoor Japanese garden with dining gazebos.
Korean Restaurant
The Challenge:
Located adjacent to the Japanese restaurant it was imperative to create a clear distinction between the 2 restaurants.
The entrance highlight the Korean tradition of articulated, refined minimalist craftsmanship
The Solution:
Our focus was to highlight the Korean tradition of articulated, refined minimalist craftsmanship. The entrance features a hand-crafted traditional reception desk, before leading guests into a high volume social dining space, surrounded by screened access to private dining areas.
*associate director . blink
