Maison Boulud Brings Mediterranean Coastal Charm to Singapore
Joyce Wang Studio has crafted a cosy waterfront restaurant inspired by the French Riviera
Maison Boulud may be situated in the Marina Bay Sands shopping complex, but you’ll immediately feel at ease when stepping into the split-level restaurant. The lights are turned down, the sinuous timber-cladded walls bring warmth, and the interplay of colours and prints captivates the eye.
A residential sensibility flows through the space, as Hong Kong-based designer Joyce Wang — in collaboration with the hotel’s interior design team — played with the concept of entering the home of founder and Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud and delving into his personal inspirations. ‘Maison Boulud, as opposed to his other fine dining venues, is more approachable, light and airy,’ she says.
The homey interiors are an apt extension of the restaurant’s casual and soulful approach to French cuisine. Dining booths dotted along the mall’s walkway are framed by large arched window frames with a fenestration that resembles French villa dwellings. The curved edges of the backrests foster intimacy, while the welcoming bar, situated close to the reception, brings Maison Boulud’s cordial hospitality to the fore.
Wang also sought to evoke the French Riviera, a destination frequented by Boulud, in the restaurant through recurring mosaic motifs, timber slatted ceilings, coastal-inspired artworks and the generous use of rattan. Inventive uses of this natural material run throughout the two storeys, forming backdrops, cove ceilings and pendant lamps. The diverse qualities of rattan enthralled her: ‘In the daytime, rattan can act as a privacy screen, while in the evening, it gives off a warm glow when the light hits it.’
The upper floor, which is connected to Marina Bay’s iconic waterfront promenade, has a decidedly brighter and breezier look with its sea of blue and cream features and furniture. Wang incorporated fans with distinctive straw blades that set the al fresco tone, complemented by folding doors that can be completely opened to the elements in comfortable weather.
While the bespoke furnishings are riveting, the staircase is Wang’s standout design gesture, with the designer making the decision to transplant it from a dark corner to the heart of the restaurant. ‘We wanted the staircase to take centre stage as it not only connects the two levels but also helps to filter guests upstairs, which is still very much part of the restaurant,’ she says. As you walk up the staircase, you’ll intuitively get a sense of its significance. Its fluid, sculptural form is offset by a luminous handrail and a glistening shell-like sconce. The aesthetic is understated but no less extraordinary for that.
The staircase forms the backbone of a cohesive design scheme that bears two expressions of its Mediterranean influence. To create a space that feels at once grounded and breezy is no small task, and Wang has achieved that to stunning effect. Her work has clearly left an impression on Maison Boulud’s guests: ‘It’s a restaurant where people bring their friends from out of town, a celebratory space that nicely bridges both the local community and international crowd,’ she says.
Text by Joseph Koh
Image Courtesy of Marina Bay Sands
