Nestled within the mesmerising interiors of this year’s INDE.Awards’ winner in the Social Space category, Kaya’s palpable pull becomes evident immediately upon entry as the enveloping warmth of its organic palette cocoons the guests in a soothing embrace. Investigating the elusive boundary between the soft and unobtrusive, and the playful and dramatic, The Standard’s restaurant adds an energising new flavour to the quiet intimacy of the Japanese izakaya convention, flourishing into a destination in its own right.

Conceived by Colin Seah of Ministry of Design, the multifaceted interior weaves a tactile story of biophilic materiality, mid-century modern vocabulary and elevated whimsy. The perimeter of the space is outlined by the juxtaposition of a transparent expanse of glazing and the hypnotic mural creeping along the walls with colourful intricacy, only to gently resolve into a defining gesture of timber panelling. Above, lush greenery cascades down in a generous, relaxed cadence, revealing pockets of soothing illumination, while the vibrant confidence of carefully crafted, custom pieces accentuates the space’s joyful nature.

Down below, the expanse of American white oak flooring anchors this layered fusion of modern high-concept delight with a timeless combination of biophilic beauty and exquisite craftsmanship. This enduring profile intentionally reinforces Kaya’s compelling language of welcoming interconnectedness and relaxed refinement – precisely what Mohammad Zain Bin Abdul Hamid, the Managing Director of World of Wood Floors (WOW), who collaborated with Ministry of Design to bring this design intervention to life, wanted to create.

“The vision for the space in Kaya was all about warmth, connection, and a kind of quiet sophistication,” Mohammad enthuses, explaining that the team set out to create a worn-in finish that felt inviting and storied. “Like it had already lived a few good years,” he smiles.

Using traditional techniques like hand-brushing, WOW meticulously crafted the hardwood to emphasise oak’s innate tactile beauty and achieve the genuine distressed look and feel. This careful process enabled the team to honour the distinct visual individuality of each board, accentuating its idiosyncrasies and imperfections to harmoniously underscore the authenticity of this decidedly contemporary interior. “Everything was tailored to the restaurant’s palette and lighting, so the floor doesn’t just sit there; it really helps shape the mood,” Mohammad says.

As a result, the space deliberately fosters an unrushed presence, encouraging visitors to slow down and stay just a little bit longer, and Mohammad believes the floor is essential to this experience. “There’s something deeply personal about wood,” he says. “It has warmth, texture, and character that you just don’t get from other materials.” He adds that this inherent quality is what softens a room and makes it more inviting, imbuing interiors with a quiet sense of depth. “People instinctively connect with it,” Mohammad says. “It grounds the design and gives it soul.”

While the biophilic tactility, charming old-wood soul and meticulous craftsmanship made the American white oak flooring an excellent choice for Kaya’s aesthetic, its enduring character was also pivotal to addressing the practical realm of a modern hospitality venue. Mohammad points to reliability and sustainability – championed by industry bodies like the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) – as qualities that appeal to him just as much as American hardwoods’ visual splendour. “They’re responsibly sourced, incredibly durable, and they age beautifully,” he explains. “Compared with some other timbers we have available to us, American hardwoods just have this solid, time-tested feel that fits perfectly with our approach to craftsmanship.”

Kaya’s profound fusion of purposeful, yet playful design, honest materiality and patient artistry reimagines dining as an unrushed and interconnected sensory experience. Central to this immersive interior, the organic depth of the hand-worked American white oak quietly anchors the restaurant’s vibrant narrative, grounding the sophisticated whimsy with an enveloping sweep of profound, storied warmth. The result is a social destination where connection is felt from the ground up, setting a new hospitality standard that is – true to its name – anything but.

AHEC
americanhardwood.org