Interiors & Designs

Contemporary sophistication from FBEYE International

FBEYE International is a boutique interior design firm with a diverse portfolio that ranges from hotels to resorts, casinos to yachts and retail to residential. Based in Singapore and strategically positioned for easy access to Asia, the Middle East, Europe and beyond, they have worked with some of the leaders in the hospitality field such as Starwood hotels and resorts, Shangri-la hotels, Hyatt hotels, Taj Hotels, Tiara hotels and Millennium & Copthorne hotels, to name a few. Designing the Pan Pacific Hotel Singapore is one of its latest projects.

Pan Pacific Singapore

The presidential suite at Pan Pacific Hotel, Singapore has been designed as a no expense spared suite, keeping in mind very senior executives and CEOs. Occupying a space of 162 sqm, the theme is sophisticated and warm. A double-door entrance leads to a spacious suite encompassing a separate living room, dining room (which can be used as a boardroom), kitchenette, and a bedroom. The bedroom features a king-sized bed with cosy furnishings and a Hollywood-style pop-up television. Furnishings have been selected from leading design houses, interspersed with original pieces designed by the interior design firm itself to ensure that the guest relaxes and unwinds. The master bedroom suite features large walk-in wardrobes and a 'his' and 'hers' fully-equipped bathroom with ample facilities ensuring total privacy. The bathrooms are fitted with mood lighting, expansive mirrors and marble, and each bathroom features either a Pharo Whirlpool tub or shower steam for a choice of hydro-relaxation. For business purposes, a dedicated space is fitted with a work desk, an ergonomic Herman Miller task chair, stylish desk lamp and desk-level power points. A formal dining room / state-of-the-art conference room, large spacious living areas combined with the latest entertainment systems such CD, VCD and DVD player with Bose sound systems and a 37-inch LCD flat-screen television, are all part of the offerings. In addition, a custom-made audio-visual portal provides a multi-connectivity port panel with most electronic devices, with integrated audio-visual output solutions via the LCD flat-screen television. Full height windows offer guests panoramic views overlooking the cityscape of Singapore. To add flexibility and versatility to the suite, the two adjoining guest bedrooms can either expand into the presidential suite or may be used as secretariat or bodyguard guestrooms, each with their own private spaces and en suite bathrooms.

Four rooms were demolished to make way for the bedroom and living area. This was quite a challenging task as the existing building had pipe shafts, M&E services restrictions and time constraints and the hotel was still operational.

The Global Kitchen

Global Kitchen at Pan Pacific Hotel, Singapore, a 250-seater restaurant located on the third floor of the hotel is a new dining concept focusing on global gourmet presentation in a contemporary setting. In order to set it up, FBEYE were brought in by the hotel. The brief given was to design an innovative approach in regard to the layout and operational friendly space planning of the restaurant, a key factor to be taken into consideration due to its size and scale of operations.

FBEYE set about the task by dividing the space into 'on plan' segments, removing old partitions, making the space one level by demolishing old platforms and opening up three circular skylights to the roof garden above, previously covered by the former designer. The skylights became a major focus for the design of the space, making it appear larger by playing with natural day light and forming the focal points of the restaurant.

The methods of closing off spaces were further explored, the obvious being sliding panels or divisible panels but due to the size of the restaurant this would have taken too much away from the overall budget, so other methods were looked into. Revolving timbre slats, sheer curtain, drapery and a sliding panel were all used to clearly define spaces to facilitate different seating arrangements. FBEYE designed a unique circular revolving timber slat screen, picking up on the skylight, to create four central dining areas. Thus with the final design, during breakfast time, the screens were open to the circulation space, the timber slats allowing guests a visual across the whole restaurant, while by night the screens revolved and a sheer drapery was closed to provide private dining rooms for up to ten guests. In addition to these areas, the rear of the restaurant was divided into three larger rooms, able to accommodate up to one hundred guests, and a smaller a la carte area was created adjacent to the bar at the entrance for up to sixty diners. The buffet was split into three sections with views into the main kitchen, all of which could be replenished out of sight of the guests, thanks to a large timber sliding panel.

The interior decoration was designed to stimulate the gastronomic senses with its clean and contemporary design. Accordingly, the white lacquer walls and terrazzo floors were complimented by dark wood fittings to create a warm and soothing ambience. Lighting played a major part in the transformation of the restaurant spaces, with colour changing lighting added at key points and the restaurant design complimenting different lighting effects, all in place to create an inviting and airy space during daylight and a warm and cozy rendezvous after sunset.