A Tropical-French Affair

Takenouchi Webb has created another winning dining spot in Singapore, this time in the form of French Fold, a lovely tropical-French escape serving up crêpes, cocktails and more

French Fold is a modern brasserie in Singapore’s Chinatown, and one of a handful of plucky F&B offerings to open this year. Even during off-peak hours, patrons form a (socially distanced) crowd outside its five-foot way. But French Fold’s signature crêpes and galettes are not its only draw — Singapore-based studio Takenouchi Webb has created a winning dine-in setting, indeed one very much welcomed by locals hungry for new experiences given the travel ban.

‘We sought to create a space that expresses the unique quality of the existing shophouse building, combined with the feel of French bistro but with a unique tropical atmosphere derived from the location in Singapore,’ explains Takenouchi Webb’s director Marc Webb.

The walls of the heritage building are pared back to their original brickwork, exposing an amazing texture created over the years. Onto this canvas Takenouchi Webb layered tactile, impressive details: fluted glass, glazed tiles, grooved timber, veined marble, woven rattan and handmade dark terracotta tiles laid into a herringbone floor.

‘One of the key requirements from the client was to create different seating types within the space, to have an eclectic mix of experiences for guests,’ Webb says. The narrow space (measuring only five metres in width) now houses a good mix, ranging from low lounge seating and loose tables to slim banquettes — all overlooked by a sizeable bar.

A large dining table sits under the skylight, the bright heart of the interior. Here, where the sun pours down, shelves installed between existing columns become perfect sun ledges for pot plants, while wallpaper depicting trees and foliage adds to the tropical feeling. An easy, upbeat French soundtrack completes the casual-chic vibe, lifting the mood and making it feel as if you’re somewhere altogether new. This lure extends to the exterior, where oversized pendants, tall plants and bar counters and stools (perfect for people watching) animate the entrance.

Text / Yvonne Xu
Images / Studio Periphery