EAST is located in the historical centre of Kiev, Ukraine. Once a well-known Porto Maltese fish restaurant, the owner chose to change the style of the food and interiors, going for 170-cover Pan-Asian restaurant.
YOD design studio wanted to create a truly cosmopolitan space that is not designed to reflect any one region. Therefore, this laconic and restrained interior does not use the stereotypical, expressly bright palette seen in many Asian-inspired projects. Instead, this establishment reflects the main natural elements of the East – stone, wood, water, fire and metal.
The inside of the restaurant has been divided into two halls. By using the same materials, these rooms depict an overall theme but have completely different patterns. The first room features an open kitchen and a wok zone that encourage communication and active movement. The second room with the bar and lounge area is far more tranquil.
The key feature of the second room is the bar with its low counter, which the studio saw as typical for Asian countries. This impressive construction is made of granite slabs with a total weight of about 8 tonnes.
The tabletops became one of the central elements of the interior design. They are made of a palm oak solid mass, which was specially brought over from the island of Java. The tree itself is so unique and original that the rest of the design scheme was created around it. To emphasise its beauty, YOD placed ceiling spotlights to illuminate the room, creating a play between light and shade.
The studio also worked with a number of textiles to create an interesting tactile landscape. One of these features is the unique felt lighting fittings the ceiling, which contrasted with the natural rusty covering.
