O Architects

Viva la Thai Cucina

Vivarium, Latin for "place of life", evokes images of glass terrariums filled with exotic plants. The Vivarium restaurant in Bangkok lives up to its name and delivers the image on a much grander scale. Designed by Hypothesis and Stu/D/O architects, the restaurant makes the most of its converted industrial warehouse structure with its corrugated iron roof, polished concrete floors and metal beams painted in flashes of red. The greenhouse atmosphere is emphasised by the vast expanse of glass walls and the huge plants suspended from the ceiling. The use of sleek white fabric upholstered furniture adds a touch of luxe and provides the perfect backdrop for the Thai-Japanese fusion cuisine served in the restaurant.

"Vivarium" apparently translates in Thai into "will you marry me". In such a beautiful and evocative space, I'm sure the answer can only be "yes".