The 36 seat Rappu is a new omakase sushi bar concept by The Feather Blade group. Housed in a heritage-preserved shophouse on Duxton Road, the design is based around the preservation of two shophouses and transformation into one structure.
OWIU Studio maintained the exposed timber ceiling beams and raw concrete flooring to showcase the industrial-chic aesthetic of the original space.
The design involved the creation of a six metre long, 19.6 ft, opening through 0.3 m wide load-bearing brick and the installation of a steel post and lintel system on a new foundation to support the structure. The result is a dramatic open space with a continuous quartz bar that spans nearly 20 m long, an ambitious idea and the first of its kind in Singapore.
The dramatic dining surface is accented by a 20 m long steel LED lighting system suspended above the bar counter that mimics the bar's shape and adds scale. The light syncs with music and illuminates the venue with dynamic colour as the day progresses.
Rappu is a specialty hand roll omakase sushi concept that has officially opened its inaugural location in Singapore. "Omakase" is the Japanese word for "chef's choice" and is a common concept in traditional sushi bars. Omakase is centred around a bar behind which a chef serves his or her customers directly. An ambitious idea and the first of its kind, the design concept for Rappu's dining bar features a single continuous piece of quartz bar spanning nearly 20-metres long.
Rappu's name takes on two meanings; in Japanese, the term refers to rap and hip-hop music bringing the likes of Wu-Tang Clan to Kendrick Lamar to the state-of-the-art sound system across the restaurant. Another meaning of Rappu is wrap, and hence, the Rappu restaurant will offer "onigiris" and tea for breakfast, and seaweed tacos as an izakaya bar snack.
OWIU Studio worked closely with top Indonesian ceramicist Ayu Larasati on designing custom ceramics and other wares.