Westlands, Nairobi – Restaurant Design

The client, an international hotel chain, sought to transform an unused terrace space into an elegant, casual dining area with a pizza restaurant and a bar. We designed an urban-chic rooftop terrace that masterfully balances raw materiality with refined comfort, designed as a premium social destination.

The design is grounded by a powerful, repetitive structural framework: a massive overhead trellis of raw, weathered timber beams that creates a rhythmic play of light and shadow across the length of the space. This dark, textured wood defines the terrace and frames the views. Below, a continuous surface of warm, terracotta-hued linear pavers provides a tactile, weathered pathway.

Rows of dining are meticulously arranged to maximize views while creating a clear circulation path. At the far end, an open-air bar and kitchen counter serves as a dramatic termination point. This hub features aged metal finishes, a textured brickwork splashback, a rustic menu board, and warm, industrial-inspired pendant lighting. Overall, the scene promises a bustling atmosphere of food, drink, and conversation.

A collaboration with DNA Studio, London.