Nook: A feast for the senses

Today, eating out is often a high-drama opportunity to immerse yourself in not only good food and conversation, but also in a vibe that takes away the humdrum of everyday living. In such a scenario restaurants have increasingly become outlets for some of the most creative interiors in the world. Designers have incorporated technology, art, and nature among other themes to create a world for diners to escape to.

Nook, a restaurant inside Aloft, Kuala Lumpur is one such place. It's easy to imagine you have stepped inside a futuristic space ship when you enter Nook. Boldly designed with a smart casualness, Nook perfectly embraces its East-meets-West demeanour. Contemporary and modern, the all white interiors are the perfect background for the soothing green highlights. The idea was to create a space that's modern but not intimidating at the same time. "A place where everyone can feel comfortable. Just as much as there is a movement for design within reach there is also a movement for food within reach with approachable food that people can relate to (comfort food) in an easy breezy space,” explains Paolo Campillo, General Manager, Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral.

Design Dynamics

Interior design plays a big role in getting customers to restaurants along with the good food and great service. Being creative with the dining environment is a good solution to drive customers in, as people want to eat in a pleasant atmosphere that transmits them that recreational feeling. The creators of Nook - Ed Poole & Associates chose a bold approach based on the design brief by Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
Walking in, one will notice the futuristic white pods in Nook, which are designed to replicate the first class pods in a jet. The idea of the pod was generated given the huge travels among Asians by jet. The pod area is slightly elevated to give it a look and feel, quite distinct from the other parts of the restaurant. 

The green and white pods impart a modern and vibrant look in keeping with Aloft's brand style, while ensuring practicality of the design and operational ease. The challenge was to maximize the space without compromising the design integrity. This was done with a good balance between the ground seats and the wonderful pod seating. The elevated pods glass enclosures for a feeling of privacy.

The restaurant serving Malaysian cuisine is done up in refreshing green and white with floor to ceiling windows, overlooking the KL Sentral area. Green was chosen as the primary colour as it is the softest colour to the eyes. The large windows fill the restaurant with natural light.
The leather upholstered walls resembling honey comb add an invigorating touch to the otherwise white setting. The futuristic appeal of Nook is taken forward by the silver chairs. The all white open kitchen aims to bring the cooking closer to the guests. Executive Chef Steven Seow and his team toil away in their whites to dish out the favourites like Sarawak Laksa - creamy and spicy noodle dish, made with paste specially ordered from Sarawak; Nook's Beef Burger - juicy patty, grilled to perfection; Nasi Lemak - Malaysia's favourite rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves and Chicken Rice - a Hainanese special.

Material Info

The material used at Nook is predominately white resin and compressed marble. The green carpets at the pods are made out of horse hair, (known to be the most durable natural fibre in the world). There are also two giant paintings of Rafflesia to reflect the local infusion in the design.
Apart from the pods, the dining area also holds another stunning attraction in the form of a striking ceiling installation made from a surprisingly humble material - short strips of pine. By layering hundreds of pieces tightly together, the installation has a rich textural effect that is much more than the sum of its parts. The use of wood in the furniture adds warmth and the steel counters lend a nice modern vibe to the décor.

Talking of the design at Nook, Campillo says, "We kept in mind the balance between design and functionality. Often restaurant can be designed to look amazing, with great décor and interior etc but is not practical operationally. At Nook, we keep it simple yet futuristic, meeting the style of today's modern travellers.”

The music at Nook is curated for all Aloft Hotels worldwide. It is updated according to the season and the type of music varies according to the time in the day
 
Lighting Insights

Light plays a significant part in creating the tranquil mood of this hotel restaurant. Metallic sculptures are illuminated throughout the space by backlighting and diffused light surfaces. The buffet counter features original Moooi lightings, named Raimond and designed by Raimond Puts. They are of perfect spheres made out of stainless'spring steel' structure, punctuated with tiny LED lights. With no wiring on the lighting, the lights give out an effect similar to that of staring into the soft glow of a starry night.