Night Hawk Opens in Singapore

In Singapore’s Tanjong Pagar, new bar Night Hawk is inspired by the moody atmosphere of its namesake Edward Hopper painting. Designer Jimin Fadjar of Dinding Design Office shares more about the project

Design Anthology: How did you first meet the client?

Jimin Fadjar: We worked with Will Leow of Composed Concepts on Five Oars Coffee Roasters on Upper East Coast Road, and he and his Composed Concepts co-founder Peter Chua reached out to us on Will's recommendation. He was confident that we would have the expertise to be able to bring all of Peter’s ideas for the bar into a cohesive space, and after a flurry of meetings across tables and computer screens, we did just that. 

What was their brief to you for the project?

The team was inspired by the emotions evoked by Edward Hopper’s mid-century masterpiece Nighthawks, but wanted to add a twist of futuristic nostalgia. The challenge was bringing to life the ambitious vision of a bar inspired by an artwork, and the goal was always to create a space that transports you away to another time and place, but that remains approachable and unpretentious. 

Where is the bar and what’s great about the neighbourhood? 

Night Hawk is in Tanjong Pagar, tucked away in the corner of a recently renovated shophouse. The charming neighbourhood is filled with energy and atmosphere and the streets are lined with old shophouses that now house exciting F&B spots, independent boutiques and wellness brands.

Please tell us a little about the material choices for the space. 

We played with contrasting materials, colours and textures to strike a balance in the space. There’s light honey leather paired with polished green marble, and walls are clad in red leather with timber framing, which transition seamlessly to the mirrored ceiling above.

Bead-blasted stainless steel and mirror panels help evoke a retro-futuristic feeling, while the reflections help to visually widen the space. The linoleum floor is also quite retro. 

Do you have a favourite element or design detail in the architecture or interiors?

The bar sits adjacent to its sister cafe, Five Oars Coffee Roasters, so we created a capsule-shaped porthole window with amber tinted glass to give guests a glimpse inside the bar from the window.

Images / Paper Street Design Co.