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DesignNewswire · COMO, Italy ·

Arena Kitchen Restaurant by Novus Penetralis Limited Is Granted the Bronze A' Design Award in Interior Space and Exhibition Design

Novus Penetralis Limited honored for interior space and exhibition design by the international grand jury of the 2020 - 2021 A' Design Award & Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMO, Italy, April 23, 2021 /DesignNewswire/ Arena Kitchen Restaurant by Novus Penetralis Limited, designed for Arena Kitchen, has been granted the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design category, A' Design Award & Competition has announced. The recognition forms part of the 2020 - 2021 A' Design Award & Competition and was reached through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who scored anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.

What the Bronze A' Design Award Means

The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Regarding Arena Kitchen Restaurant

Arena Kitchen is a restaurant interior located in a convention and exhibition centre in Hong Kong. The open floor plan holds an indoor dining and bar area and an outdoor cafe space, set apart by marble tiles and a wave-like partition. Curves inspired by the sea run from the multi-level ceiling to the projection wall, the bar counter and the furniture. Wood veneer panels and marble tabletops are paired with a neutral palette to add warmth. Dimmable LED lights are used, and the movable furniture can be rearranged to suit different events and group sizes.

About Novus Penetralis Limited

Tenniel liberates minds through uncompromising design, and bridges the gap between art and functionality with pragmatic space architecture. Once a proud alumnus of the Rhode Island School of Design, Tenniel is now the founder of Novus Penetralis who constantly sets new standards in the industry by laying the groundwork for award-winning hotels, Michelin restaurants, luxurious celebrity homes, top schools, world-class theme parks and renowned retailers.

Award Record

Novus Penetralis Limited is a winner of 3 A' Design Awards, including this recognition. The awards span the editions from 2018 - 2019 to 2020 - 2021 of the A' Design Award & Competition.

About the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award

The A' Interior Design Award is an international interior design competition recognizing good interior designs by interior designers and architects worldwide. The competition is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to interior designers, interior architects, architects and decorators from all countries. Entries typically include residential interiors, restaurants, hotels, offices, galleries and retail stores. Awarded interior designs are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/interior

About A' Design Award & Competition

A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade organized annually since 2008. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The A' Design Award has a philanthropic mission to advance society through good design by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Entries are peer reviewed and anonymously evaluated by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. The A' Design Prize granted to eligible laureates includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, the upload of a work and the preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. Further information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com

Press Resources

Media Contact

Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953

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Fact Sheet

The Work

Project
Arena Kitchen Restaurant
Function
Restaurant
Category
Interior Space and Exhibition Design
Discipline
Spatial Design
Industry
Architecture and Packaging & Retail
Colors
Dark Gray, Rosy Brown, Silver, Gray and Light Gray
Images
5
Client
Arena Kitchen

The Recognition

Laureate
Novus Penetralis Limited
Country
Hong Kong (China)
Recognition
Bronze A' Design Award
Edition
2020 - 2021
Design ID
#119715

Credits

Team
TENNIEL TSANG, KATHY LI and ELVA TAM
Image Credits
All Images: Photographer William Fung, Arena Kitchen, 2020.

Design Details

Unique Properties
From the dated diner comes a sophisticated open-floor restaurant with an intimate dining-bar area and an outdoor cafe space set apart by marble tiles and a transverse wave-like partition. The cafe area is light-flooded mimicking natural light against wave curves that extend from its multi-level ceiling to the concave projection wall, bar counter and movable furniture to promote fluidity between the areas. Wood accent walls don the space and storefront to add warmth and style for every occasion.
Inspiration
As Hong Kong’s go-to venue for gigs and expos, this is the meeting place for work and leisure next to the citys' underrated natural beauty. While transforming this dated restaurant into a versatile event-dining venue, a new visual language inspired by organic sea curves is applied on its multi-level ceiling, infrastructure and movable furniture that grace the open floor. A neutral palette is used to create quiet charm and coziness that makes it a prime space for all occasions and party sizes.
Research
The NOVUS team had worked closely with the client and facility management team from start to finish to ensure the design and renovation process adhered to the strict regulations set by the Airport Authority Hong Kong. The project was completed in a tight timeframe of four months, from conception to implementation, and was the result of rigorous research and meetings with the client. Shortly after its opening, the client had reported an immediate increase in business amidst the pandemic.
Challenge
The biggest challenge lies in the total compliance with the building regulations and strict requirements imposed by the respective authorities particularly in the airport vicinity where the restaurant located. Adopting an organic wave-like design means that no sharp edges or grout lines are present in any fixture or furniture to create a seamless continuity. To maximise space, all the furniture, partition inclusive, are movable and can be easily stored away.
Realization and Technology
The curved ceiling flows naturally into a projection wall, accentuated by dimmable LED lights that give balance and airiness to the venue. Movable furniture grace the floor to optimise space and form a continuous rhythm with the wave-like partition on the open floor. The underlying neutral palette is paired with wood veneer panels for warmth, while marble tabletops exude class. The 7m bar counter features faux marble finishing for a more seamless feel, complementing the flowy display shelf.
Operation and Interaction
Inspired by the spectacular sea view that surrounds the convention centre, organic curves run through the divided dining spaces and takeaway counter, from the multi-level ceiling to the bar counter and wavelike partition on the open floor. Wood wall paneling and marble tabletops complement the underlying neutral palette and bring coziness into the setting. Space is optimised by movable furniture pieces that can be rearranged throughout the day to serve different dining and social experiences.
Project Duration and Location
The project started in June 2020 at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong's major convention and exhibition centre, and finished in October 2020.
Specifications
The restaurant with a respective indoor and outdoor space of 1,700 sq ft comprises a marble takeaway counter that flows into the open floor plan. Lined with movable furniture and a wave-inspired partition, they serve as a versatile backdrop for various events. A white acrylic feature wall (updated thematically) takes centre stage, complemented by wood veneer furniture and fixtures. The round ceiling morphs naturally into a projection wall and meticulously conceals a connecting door to the expo.
Keywords
Interior Design, Restaurant & Bar, Multipurpose, Cafe, F&B, Convention, Hospitality, Nature

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