Rethinking Japanese dining: an izakaya that draws on music and social interaction for a warm and contemporary space. Tamsin Bradshaw reports.
January 13th, 2016
Koko means “here” in Japanese, and this word is at the heart of the design for KOKO, a new izakaya by private members club KEE Club. “We want KOKO’s guests to be ‘here’: to be present in the moment; to meet new people, and to immerse themselves in the atmosphere, drinks and food,” says Mara Rhomberg, Creative Director of Koko.
The atmosphere is designed to bring people together in an intimate environment – something Christian Rhomberg, Founder and Chairman of Kee Club, views as one of the restaurant’s best features. “[It has] typical Japanese alcove seating, but at the same time, the terrace and bar area also offer people a place to see and be seen,” he says. “Most restaurants today are designed around one sole function – dining. Whereas Koko is a social meeting and dining place – it combines three functions: dining, lounge and club atmosphere.”
Japanese-style alcove dining at Koko, with Sean Lee Davies’ photography as a backdrop
Koko’s club atmosphere comes from its carefully curated music offering. “Simon Pang, Kee’s Head of Music, has created an eclectic music persona for Koko that reflects the eclectic style of music popular in Japan,” says Mr. Rhomberg, who envisages Koko becoming a “hub for musical creativity” in Hong Kong.
Along with music, art and sake are part of Koko’s DNA. Kee’s design team, headed by Kee Signature Architect Gavin Tu, installed metal wall panels, which will serve as a backdrop for rotating art exhibitions. First up is Love is Wild, a series of photographs by Sean Lee Davies for Project C:CHANGE. The series features Chinese models and actresses with endangered wildlife in a bid to raise awareness of and to combat endangered wildlife trade around the world. “We wanted to lead with a Hong Kong-bred artist with a cause,” explains Mr. Rhomberg. Next up is a series of Japanese photographs from the 1960s.
Metal panels create the perfect backdrop Sean Lee Davies’ “Gentle Giants” image, depicting elephants in Kenya
Former footballer, fashion icon and sake lover Hidetoshi Nakata plays a starring role at Koko, too. A partner in the restaurant, Nakata brings to Koko his own sake, as well as a range of unique sakes from small breweries around Japan.
As with the drinks menu, Koko’s careful, creative approach to food pays homage to its Japanese roots, as do the interiors. “We used typical Japanese materials – black stone, charred wood, orange light filters, leather, natural linen, dark metal and golden copper surfaces,” says Mr. Rhomberg.
Bar seating – a necessity due to the layout of the space – overlooks the terrace
The restaurant also has a leafy, lounge-y terrace illuminated by textile lanterns. Overlooking the newly revamped Central Police Station Compound – which is set to be an F&B and design hub – Koko is right in the heart of the action. At the same time, though, its warm ambience, and chilled-out terrace make it the perfect retreat from hectic city life.
KOKO
kokohk.com
KEE Club
keeclub.com
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Found within the verdant landscape of Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Sona Reddy’s design for this authentic Andhra restaurant adeptly fuses textural rhythms with traditional materials.
In our series spotlighting aficionados across the design industry, we spoke with Alexandra Guglielmino, who leads the Art Advisory team at Bluethumb Art Gallery.