ROCKWELL GROUP UNVEILS STUNNING DESIGN FOR NOBU BANGKOK

Photography by Owen Raggatt

Nobu Bangkok Redefines Luxury Dining

Rockwell Group, the renowned New York-based architecture and design studio, has unveiled its latest collaboration with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa: Nobu Bangkok. This project marks a milestone in their three-decade partnership, which began in 1994 with the first Nobu in Tribeca. Now, 30 years and over 40 restaurants later, Nobu Bangkok debuts as the brand’s first in Thailand and its largest globally.

Housed in Sathon’s iconic Empire Tower, Nobu Bangkok spans two floors, a rooftop, and multiple spaces for dining, socializing, and events. Highlights include a private tearoom and breathtaking rooftop views complemented by Nobu’s signature cuisine and touches of Thai culture.

Rockwell Group drew from Bangkok’s natural and urban landscapes, weaving themes of Urban, Jungle, and River throughout the design. The Urban concept defines the main dining area with tiered roofs, silver travertine, bronze, and Thai textiles, creating an elegant, earthy ambiance. The Jungle theme shapes the lounge and rooftop bar with deep blues, emerald-green marble, and floral motifs, evoking mountains and rice terraces. The River theme extends to outdoor terraces, offering casual luxury with greenery, natural fibers, and warm tones.

Presented by Coulisse | INK

Upon arrival on the 58th floor, guests are welcomed by a custom lacquered wood host stand. The lounge boasts sweeping city views, curved banquettes framed by undulating metal, and sky-blue leather seating under a ceiling clad in antiqued mirrors. The dining room features elements of traditional Thai and Japanese craftsmanship, including arched banquette niches inspired by Thai sofas and a sushi bar highlighted by a glowing onyx panel.

Jim Thompson fabrics and gridded wood planks add warmth and texture, while an outdoor terrace offers cascading seating and unobstructed skyline views.

The 61st-floor Sky Bar presents a 360-degree panorama of Bangkok, surrounded by infinity pools and lantern-lit banquettes. A gold mosaic arch crowns the feature bar, adding a striking focal point to the rooftop.

On the 57th floor, private dining rooms (PDRs) and an event terrace reflect a blend of Japanese and Thai influences with low ceilings, crystal light fixtures, and intricate details like a sculptural bar adorned with gold relief.

David Rockwell, Founder and President of Rockwell Group, shared: “We are thrilled to be bringing the very first Nobu to Bangkok. It is also a privilege to collaborate again with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and his team. Social dining is so deeply engrained in Thai culture, and we wanted to celebrate that in our design with numerous banquettes and a central carved bar. We also saw the restaurant as an extension of the city’s architecture, geographical features, and exquisite craftsmanship, which are reflected at every turn.”

Nobu Bangkok is a seamless blend of Rockwell Group’s design ingenuity, Nobu’s iconic style, and the vibrancy of Thai culture, promising to redefine fine dining in Southeast Asia.