Project Description
Vivarium is a new restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand, constructed within a decommissioned warehouse owned by the Krungthai Tractor Company operated by Chef’s Ministry, serving a fusion of Thai and Japanese cuisine.
Hypothesis was invited at an early stage to formulate the concept, branding, and design of a new type of restaurant. We were inspired by the existing industrial characteristics of the warehouse and wanted to preserve this history in the structure and cladding, while breathing new life and energy into the interior. We employed found objects from around the site –iron doors, steel pipes, and tree roots – AND PAINTED THE NEW STUCTUREs WITH RED PRIMER, (THE SAME COLOUR OF the RED MASALA spice). HYPOTHESIS also USEd the red primer color for the branding of the restaurant. We combined these components with actual living landscape designed by ban kam pu and ceramic follies designed by yarnnakarn, transforming the interior of the space into a terrarium.
The brand and name of the space – Vivarium – is a portmanteau of viva (life) and terrarium, in Thai translates to: “will you marry me?”