WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Hanru Marais Photography (Klein JAN); Courtesy of Tristan Plessis Studio (KōL Izakhaya); DOOK (Aramness)
Featuring more than 1100 products and projects, this year’s Hospitality Design Awards once again boasts a plethora of outstanding objects and spaces, two of which are in South Africa.
The event, which honours the year’s best and most innovative achievements in design from around the world, was held on Tuesday in New York.
Among the nominees in the Upscale Restaurant category were South Africa’s very own KōL Izakhaya and Klein JAN, with Michelin-star Chef Jan Hendrik Van der Westhuizen‘s eatery situated at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve taking top honours.
“I’m so proud of Klein JAN for winning in the ‘Upscale Restaurant’ category at the Hospitality Design Awards in New York,” said Jan Hendrik on social media. “What started as a sketch on a serviette is now an incredible oasis in the middle of the vast Kalahari plain and wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication, skill and creativity of some incredible people.”
READ MORE: Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Alexis and Viron Christopher are equally proud of KōL’s achievement. “Being nominated for these prestigious awards felt like winning itself. After the announcement came through that we were finalists, we were completely blown away!”
Designed by interior architect Tristan du Plessis, the interior of the Hyde Park restuarant is based on nature’s four elements – Fire, Water, Earth, and Air, in celebration of Mother Earth. “It’s a contemporary take on a traditional Japanese izakaya in South Africa,” says Tristan. “It focuses on texture and materiality, not just on aesthetic appeal. We wanted the space to be experiential.”
READ MORE: SĀN Beach Designed by Tristan du Plessis
In the Luxury Hotel category the Aramness Gir Lodge in Gujarat India was one of four finalists. While not located in South Africa, the luxury hotel was designed by local architectural firm Nicholas Plewman Architects & Associates and the interiors were done by Johannesburg-based Fox Browne Creative.
The concept came about five years ago, when Gujarati businessman and conservation- conscious wildlife photographer Jimmy Patel connected with Debra Fox and Chris Browne of Fox Browne Creative, and architect Nick Plewman. Standing on what was then an open piece of land, surrounded by natural teak forest full of birds and game, the newly assembled team came up with the name: aram, meaning peace/rest; and ness, the name for local villages.
For the full list of winners and finalists, visit hospitalitydesign.com.
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