London and Singapore based design agency Viewport Studio have created the interior of modern Argentinian restaurant Bochinche, owned by the SPA ESPRIT GROUP, in a traditional shophouse in the Chinatown district of Singapore.
Image © Darren Soh
Contemporary Surrealism Bochinche, the word for ‘gossip’ in Latin American Spanish, has been conceived as a casual, lively yet sophisticated space where chef Diego Jacquet’s knack for combining bold flavours with quality ingredients can take centre stage. Offering a Latin American vibe with a South East Asian twist, Viewport Studio wanted to bring to mind the traditional turn-of-the-century European styling of a typical Argentinian café, but with a nod to the eccentric quirkiness of it’s location on one of Chinatown’s most vibrant streets.
The studio have created a bespoke wallpaper designed around the existing Bochinche logo to provide an eclectic backdrop to the dark wood architecture palette.
Image © Darren Soh
We wanted to embrace the grown-up style of traditional Buenos Aires café culture, while also making it playful and accessible. On the walls we have hung a series of surreal but contemporary Spanish art in gilt frames, inspired by Argentina’s vibrant street art scene, to help set the tone for the overall dining experience of Bochinche.
– Ian Macready of Viewport Studio
Image © Darren Soh
Smart Zoning
Viewport Studio have worked with the traditional shophouse architecture of the narrow space to cleverly accommodate the bar and restaurant within defined zones, placing a bar counter to the left of the entrance area and beyond, an arrangement of loose tables and chairs which define the main dining area. A third guest dining experience has been created through the formation of an exposed kitchen area with counter seating placed directly in front, allowing diners a full a uninterrupted view of the kitchen theatre.
Image © Darren Soh
Contrasting Materials A considered use of materials help to define these different zones, with the polish of the marble surfaces serving as a contrast to the dark wood panels and textured rattan cladding on the front of the kitchen counter, itself a subtle nod to South East Asia amongst more traditional South American materials.
Image © Darren Soh
The flooring throughout is a black and white chequerboard tile, and overhead, a disparate collection of vintage cherub lights illuminate and add visual interest to the space. Custom designed bar and kitchen counter stools in racing green leather line these two areas, while vintage chairs and tables occupy the middle zone of loose furniture. Throughout the restaurant vintage sideboards and cabinets provide storage and display of Argentinian Merlot wines.
Image © Darren Soh
The innovative new food menu by Argentine chef Diego Jacquet, formerly of world-renowned El Bulli and owner of Casa Malevo and Zoilo in London, can now be enjoyed at Bochinche’s new home on Amoy Street.
Image © Darren Soh
Image © Darren Soh
Image © Darren Soh
*All images and information courtesy of Viewport Studio. Photography by Darren Soh.
