Overwater Bamboo Restaurant | Maldives | 2023

Architects: Atelier Nomadic
Lead Architect: Olav Bruin
Design Team: Louis Thompson and Habiba Mukhtar
General Contractor: Asali Bali
Client: Banyan Tree
Photographers: Joe Chua Agdeppa and Banyan Tree

Throughout human history, explorers, sailors, and seafarers have told tall stories of the fabulous sea creatures found in the depths of the ocean - from the leviathan that swallowed Jonah, the giant squid that grappled with the Nautilus to Moby Dick seeking revenge on the Pequod and its crew; our maritime literature, nautical maps, and collective psyche are riddled with sea monsters. From time to time, these mythical creatures rise to the surface.

One of these gentle giants has recently emerged in a calm, tropical lagoon in the Maldives where a select few can dine on fine Japanese cuisine, deep in the belly of the beast, beneath its dramatic bamboo ribcage. The design of this overwater Yakitori Restaurant and Bar is a revamp of the existing jetty structure at Banyan Tree Vabinfaru to create a new iconic dining experience. This exploration of biomimicry takes its inspiration from the sleek silhouette of the Pink Whiprays (Pateobatis fai) that graze in the surrounding lagoon.

The naturally ventilated, bio-climatic structure features a saltwater infinity pool and an array of overwater catamaran nets where guests can relax with breathtaking sunset panoramas, caressed by the gentle sea breeze. Crafted meticulously with bamboo, the structure is amplified by the dramatic Maldivian landscape and reflected in the mirror-like lagoon. The looping, shingled tail winds back down the jetty to link the building with the mainland and to guide the visitors into the building. The roof structure is built entirely out of bamboo and demonstrates the potential of this amazing building material, as bamboo has the potential to play a major role in the building industry's transition towards a more sustainable future. Being one of the fastest-growing renewable building materials in the world, bamboo is an extremely effective carbon sink, as it is crucial to move towards a future where buildings actually sequester carbon instead of expelling it.

Shaped by a series of hyperbolic paraboloid columns and roof trusses, the structure reflects the endo skeleton of the Mobulidae family. Dendrocalamus Asper bamboo was used for the primary structure and the smaller Gigantochloa Apus bamboo was used for the grid infill. The roof is clad with timber shingles. The interior features a bar and services blocks clad with the black Gigantochloa Atroviolacea bamboo that subtly contrasts with the pale bamboo columns and timber decking. The rhythmic, pattern of the bamboo internodes refers to the movement of the waves.

The project demonstrates the architects’ design approach that is inspired by the Genius Loci or spirit of the place, resulting in buildings that fit symbiotically into their natural surroundings, in the belief that architecture should serve as a bridge to connect nature, culture, and people.