A Taste of Siba – The Restaurant
The 5-star SIBA – The Restaurant is a bespoke dining space located within the Table Bay Hotel at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Evoking a delicately local atmosphere in the famous harbour surroundings, the recreation of inspired South African chef Siba Mtongana’s restaurant was a design project fit for only one team – the marvellous Mobius Interior Architecture.
Striving for light and bright
Led by Victoria Wood, Mobius Interior Architecture was entrusted with a precious project for the Table Bay Hotel – take an existing restaurant and re-interpret it. This was to be executed in collaboration with Craft of Architecture’s adding an extension to include a new outdoor terrace. With the restaurant set in a hotel, it was important for the team to make the most of the construction components off-site and only assemble in-situ where possible to avoid any disruption to hotel guests during the fit-out. Existing restaurant and hotel circulation routes also had to be considered and complimented by new design, acknowledging the existing façade and profiles of the building. Key drivers of the renovation included longevity and maintenance in terms of the close proximity to the ocean, as well as high thermal efficiency and economic viability.
The existing terrace was transformed into a dining room by implementing a glass structure. The space was made intimate by enclosing it with large windows, adding articulations to suit the exterior of the hotel building. The conservatory style façade with modular steel frames allows natural light to infiltrate the space while placing emphasis on the beautiful views of Table Mountain and the harbour in front of the restaurant. Using this light-and-bright approach spoke to the client’s brief of creating a more delicate space that uplifts and excites.
Locally inspired
Inspired by the current decorative stone tiles and dominant mahogany furniture, a new material palette was woven into the existing, turning it into a more vibrant and social dining space. The unique SIBA branding brought a circular theme into the restaurant which inspired the overall style and was incorporated in custom lighting design, joinery details, ceiling layouts, and table décor. Rooting the space in the context of its location, the design was influenced by local materials, manufacturers, and designers, which were highlighted throughout the restaurant.
Hand-made terrazzo tiles from a local studio are used in the new dining room to complement the existing floors inside. Dining chairs were selected from Cape Town-based manufacturer and designer, Louw Roets. The society chair has a solid ebony wood frame and premium cognac leather seating that ties into the rich mahogany joinery palette of the existing space. A mild steel screen with custom designed pattern was locally manufactured and painted with a hand-applied artist technique. For the main feature above the banquet seating area, handcrafted beaded and roped circular lights with brass details were sourced from award-winning KZN artist, Sam Foaden, tying in to the recurring circular theme that captures the entire space.
Bringing a timeless style to a contemporary dining experience, the carefully curated SIBA – The Restaurant is a culinary space which does justice to the flair and flavour of a local icon’s celebrated brand. Elevating the restaurant through delicate design, Mobius Interior Architecture created an environment that is nothing short of a feast for the eyes and the soul.
