Contrary to its vibrant colors, ornate embellishments, and multi-tiered roof, Tiger Temple is a muted homage to Traditional Thai Architecture.

The architecture crafts a sensory experience to complement the gastronomical delights of the timeless eatery — with application techniques, surface undulations, play of lights, and plantation to evoke a hospitable experience. 

The Studio aimed to create a retreat from the buzzing city — Tiger Temple is designed to contrast the urban surroundings, creating a sheltering atmosphere, which was imperative.

The outdoors are tiled in grey hues, and adorned with dense tropical plants to create a lush green window into the eatery. The stepped façade reveals itself to the passerby through this dense greenery, which also acts as a much-needed barrier from the main road. Emulating a veranda-like space for the main entrance, the façade is designed in fluted EIFS (externally insulated façade system) panels to imitate shingles. Moreover, the arched perforations soften the rigidity of the facade.

Inside, with aged walls, floating plains, punctured spaces, and etched artwork, Tiger Temple is reincarnated into a new space. 

A structural hand-hammered column presides over the space, framed by the surrounding functional area. The archway and floating wall with etching accentuate the spatial segregation between the main hall and the restaurant service area. 

A plain separates the central space from the staircase that leads to the upper level. A slit highlights the plain's circular opening, establishing visual connections between the spaces.

The structural column rises to the first floor, taking its rugged texture center-stage to the dining area above. The private dining areas offer a gaze out the front windows and are divided by arches — with hand-made rattan fringe lamps illuminating each table as a centerpiece.

Strategically placed circular mirrors on the walls create the effect of vastness within the enveloped space, while illuminated slits on the floors are filled with white gravel to incorporate visual zen.

Grey porcelain floor tiles grace the space with their Glistening imperfections —complementing the surrounding finishes. Earthy textures such as weathered woods, woven fabrics, matte-finished metals, sill batta (grey basalt) table slabs, as well as hand-poured pots were intentionally integrated to attain a feeling of calmness. The strategically etched walls and spotlights emphasize the romantic atmosphere and the different textures and tones of the space.

The undulations of materiality and hues of warm greys work in synergy to forge an intimate space, while the monochromatic palette plays its part to soothe the brutalist forms.