Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston Architects has unveiled a trio of sleek F&B venues at the newly opened Aman Nai Lert Bangkok. Following in the footsteps of Amanpuri, the brand’s original home in Phuket, the newest Aman retreat blends modern design with the rich cultural heritage of its location.
Aman Club, a Japanese-inspired concept on the 19th floor, boasts a striking red bonsai and metal sculpture of a kimono as focal points on arrival, while a masculine palette is offset by black tiles and flashes of textured metal found throughout. Privacy screens made from handwoven fabrics and sewn with copper thread glisten in the candlelight.
At teppanyaki restaurant Hiori, hammered bronze tiles evoke the river Soi as it winds through Bangkok, while a light wood counter and ceiling play with the contrast of the dark flooring. The more minimalist Omakase restaurant has wooden slats across the entrance, while different types of light-coloured wood and stone create frames of gradually decreasing sizes, drawing the eye towards food as it’s prepared on the counter.
Finally, in the Cigar Bar, a dark walnut floor and bar framed with cinnamon wood offer a distinctive heady smell and elevated finish. Almost tortoiseshell in appearance, the shelves and cases adorning the walls are crafted from the same material. Locally woven rugs, inspired by weaved baskets, are used to provide texture and separate seating areas.
“Nai Lert’s rich heritage provided an incredible foundation for this project. Our goal was to honour this legacy and Thai culture in a modern, timeless way alongside Aman’s renowned design DNA, developed over three decades,” says Jean-Michel Gathy. “It was a privilege for us to create another urban space with the brand that will write the next chapter of this much-loved location, while upholding Aman’s core values of space, harmonious design and privacy.”
