Rockwell Group’s collaboration with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa began with one small restaurant in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood. There, we conceived a design concept inspired by Chef Nobu’s innovative cooking and the culture of the Japanese countryside, where the chef was born and raised. Thirty years and many Nobu restaurants and hotels later, Nobu Bangkok is the brand’s first location in Thailand. The restaurant is situated on the 57th, 58th, and rooftop levels (61) of the Empire Tower in Sathon, the city’s financial center. (The Empire Tower is one of the tallest office towers in Thailand.)
Nobu Bangkok’s multiple areas for dining, socializing, large gatherings, and celebrations offer a distinct F&B program unique to Bangkok and Thai culture, such as a private tea room and flexible event spaces. The experience culminates with the open sky bar atop the building. There, low banquettes and lounge seating allow guests to take in the 360-degree views of the Bangkok skyline and Chao Phraya River. Throughout the project, materials and textures meld Thailand’s rich artisanal techniques, such as hand-woven textiles and wood carving, with traditional Japanese arts, such as Kintsugi and calligraphy.
Rockwell Group’s design concept is inspired by Bangkok’s natural and urban ecologies, referencing three distinct landscapes found in a vintage map of Thailand: Urban, Jungle, and River. These three areas and their geographical qualities shape many of the spaces and program:
Urban: The main dining room and bar are inspired by vernacular Thai architecture—its tiered roofs and gold hues—and features luxurious materials, such as silver travertine, bronze, wood slats, and traditional Thai textiles.
Jungle: The lounge and rooftop bar have a darker palette with deep blue and brown tones, reflective finishes, emerald green marble, textured stones, and floral motifs. Organic, stepped forms reference the region’s mountains and rice terraces.
River: Meandering outdoor terraces embrace a lighter, more casual luxury with white oak, natural fibers and textures, greenery, and sunset tones.
