Mott 32 Opens at Marina Bay Sands
For the new outpost of Chinese fine-dining establishment Mott 32, Joyce Wang Studio drew on traditional Singaporean shophouse architecture, colonial elements and aestheticism to create a lush space that evokes balmy evenings in the Garden City. We spoke with Wang to find out more about the inspiration and concepts behind her fourth Mott 32 location
Design Anthology: What narrative drove your design concept for this latest Mott 32 in Singapore?
Joyce Wang: The concept was driven by the idea of balmy evenings in the Garden City, but with a colonial twist. We wanted to create an intimate greenhouse setting for diners, while paying homage to traditional Singaporean shophouse architecture and the Aesthetic Movement. We chose to fill the space with greenery and overgrown foliage set against a colour palette of terracotta, teal and volcanic grey, evoking the colour schemes of the shop houses that line the streets of the Chinatown neighbourhood. The whole restaurant is brimming with plants and is reminiscent of long evenings spent outdoors with friends and family.
This the fourth Mott 32 property you’ve designed, can you tell us how you approached this specific location and how it differs from the others?
Each Mott 32 celebrates the local dining culture of its surroundings, meaning each is individual but shares the same ambience. For Mott 32 Vegas our vision was to celebrate the hedonism of the location while paying homage to the Chinese imperialism-meets-industrial New York aesthetic of the original Hong Kong location. Through our integration of group dining booths and communal tables, Mott 32 Vancouver embraces the more casual, relaxed local dining scene. Likewise, for Mott 32 Singapore we looked to the Garden City for inspiration, from the way we approached spatial planning to our selection of finishes and custom detailing.
What makes this location unique?
This location was really exciting (and challenging!) to work in because it’s home to a host of different dining configurations — conceptual pockets, in a sense. We configured three private dining areas, including the foliage-filled Orangery where we had to create a space versatile enough to cater to a range of different diners. Each area was crafted for evenings of fun, socialising and incredible cuisine.
Which elements will be familiar to guests who’ve dined at other Mott 32 locations?
One element that remains constant across all Mott 32 locations is the hidden dining alcove, which isn’t immediately noticeable to first-time visitors. These special spaces create an experience that diners look forward to when planning their next trip. For Mott 32 Singapore, we conceived The Veranda, a timber-lined space with rich, earthy tones that make it feel cosy, like an intimate cocoon. I must also mention the custom chandelier centrepiece, which is another signature across all of the restaurants. We crafted this one from metal mesh in a nod to industrial New York. It contrasts beautifully with the soft fabric of the inner shade and hand-painted foliage detail.
Can you tell us a bit about the private dining spaces and what you hope diners will experience?
Mott 32 Singapore houses three semi-private dining rooms alongside one main private dining room, known as The Lantern Room. The Lantern Room imbues key elements of aestheticism, a movement that emphasised the value of beauty in art and design. We curated a field of pendants and antique ornaments across the space to create a ‘world within a world’.
Can you tell us about some of your material choices?
We’ve used greenery and foliage as materials on their own, to contrast with and complement rustic timber and warm, earth-toned velvets. For the washroom walls, we selected honeycomb terrazzo tiles juxtaposed with graffiti of traditional Chinese calligraphy and brush paintings. Embroidered linens and Chinese feather-embossed tiles add a layer of decadence to the bar area.
How did your collaboration with graffiti artist Joe-Joe Ngai begin, and what’s the idea behind his contributions to each of the Mott 32 locations?
Joe-Joe has created artworks for every Mott 32 location. The fluidity of his brushstroke and edginess of his graffiti bring a raw, human layer of authenticity to the contemporary interior design scheme. He is an incredible talent.
Images / Edmon Leong
