The Kilo brand has rightly earned a strong following in Singapore, with its unique offering of Latin- and Asian-influenced comfort food, its friendly approach to service, and its interior character fusing industrial rawness with a homely vibe.

Following the recent closure of its Kallang outlet, Kilo Kitchen has opened new digs in the Tanjong Pagar district, a short walk from its sister venue Kilo Lounge. And a new outlet will open in Jakarta in January 2019.

“As a brand, Kilo has expanded over the years to include new concepts in Singapore and new locations in Indonesia, but the core of Kilo remains faithfully the same – it is always about food and community, drinks and music,” says co-founder Joshua Adjodha.

Not to be underestimated in importance, one of the key ingredients in Kilo’s efforts to establish a sense of community around its brand has been its interiors – always blending a non-pretentious industrially based aesthetic with comforting touches that guests can engage with on a personal level.

Singapore- and Indonesia-based Studio Dinding, headed by Indonesian Partners Jessica Rina and Jimin Fadjar, was spot on with its encapsulation of the brand at the new Kilo Kitchen, delivering a space that comforts without deviating from Kilo’s unfussy style.

Rina and Fadjar worked smartly with the parameters of the 3000-square-foot space, making the most of its corner location by opening up the interior to the five-foot-way and transforming what was once a transit zone into a space to dwell on rattan seating and watch the passing parade.

“It made so much sense to connect the site with the street,” says Rina. She continues, “The Duxton Road location is only a stone’s throw away from Duxton Hill, but it is not as bustling. We thought the approach of having Kilo open, and making use of the five-foot-way where people can hang out, could make this area a lot more lively. Openness is something we and Kilo discussed and agreed that the new venue needed.”

Inside, beyond the floor-to-ceiling rusted metal-framed bi-folding glazed doors, one finds hand-sanded concrete walls, natural stone, brass finishes and recycled timber that exudes ‘Kilo’ charm. Polished marble, Italian ceramic tiles, vintage rugs and bold, bright fabrics inject warmth in tones of grey, gold, mustard and pink.

A Turkish marble and brass bar extends across the width of the space beside an open-concept, natural-flame kitchen that’s surrounded by ceramic tiles and has a brick-encased wood-fire grill at its heart.

Much work was done on site to achieve just the right finishes for the recycled timber and rusted metal door frames. “We value craftsmanship a lot,” says Rina. “It makes a lot of difference in a space. We tried to create something comfortable, familiar and homey with small details to enrich the space.”