The Introduction
SIBA Restaurant is a bespoke restaurant space located within the Table Bay Hotel at the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town. Our interpretation of the new space started with a renovation of the existing restaurant, followed by an extension of the space to include the outdoor terrace in collaboration with Craft of Architecture. The existing terrace was transformed into a dining room by designing a glass structure that enclosed the space with large windows, adding articulations to suit the exterior of the Hotel building. The conservatory style facade with modular steel frames allow natural light to infiltrate the space while placing emphasis on the beautiful views of Table Mountain and the harbour in front of the restaurant. Using this light-and-bright approach, spoke to the client’s brief of creating a more delicate space that uplifts the existing. The SIBA branding influenced a circular theme throughout the restaurant that was incorporated in custom lighting design, joinery details, ceiling layouts and table décor.
The Brief
With the restaurant set in a hotel, it was important for the team to make most of the construction components off-site and only assemble in-situ where possible to avoid any disruption to hotel guests during the fit-out. Existing restaurant and hotel circulation routes had to be considered and complimented by new design, acknowledging the existing façade and profiles of the building. Key drivers of the new renovation included longevity and maintenance in terms of the close proximity to the ocean as well as high thermal efficiency and economic viability. Inspired by the existing decorative stone tiles and dominant mahogany furniture, a new material palette was woven into the existing, turning it into a more vibrant and social dining space.
Project Features
The overall concept of the space is rooted in the character of the brand, making use of local materials, manufacturers, and designers. Hand-made terrazzo tiles from a local studio are used in the new dining room to complement the existing floors inside. Dining chairs were selected from Cape Town based manufacturer and designer, Louw Roets. The society chair has a solid ebony wood frame and premium cognac leather seating that ties into the rich mahogany joinery palette in the existing space. A mild steel screen with custom designed pattern, inspired by the SIBA branding, was locally manufactured and painted with a hand-applied artist technique. Installed as the main feature above the banquet seating area, hand-crafted beaded and roped circular lights with brass details were sourced from award-winning KZN artist, Sam Foaden. The feature lights are another addition to the repetitive circular theme in the space.
