DESIGNWILKES has worked to expand and renovate the all day dining experience at The Verandah located within the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok.

In doing so, we were to increase the back of the house kitchen but extend the restaurant space to maintain a similar amount of seating. The areas for semi-private dining were to be accommodated as the hotel caters to various groups both business and leisure.

The existing structure and kitchen location within the hotel site meant that additional space for the kitchen had to be taken along the lengthwise position of the room, which was not ideal. Space across the front area with the river view is the more desirable space. Ceiling heights are low, access to natural was compromised with several solid awnings along the access corridor.

We pushed the windows into the corridor marginally, created a stronger window scape with a variety of mullion sizes to add focus to the window, which accentuated the feel of a verandah. The rear section of the room is raised with timber flooring, the front lower section in patterned marble. This pattern repeats out on the terrace connecting these spaces. Cream painted planked ceilings and a mass of hand- blown glass pendant lights give a bright and cheerful nature. A Thai inspired artist mural lends a jovial garden atmosphere, bringing the outdoors to the inner room.

Design: DESIGNWILKES Design Team: Jeffrey A Wilkes, Sirajul Fahmi Muhamad Photography: Jinnawat Borihankijanan

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