Project: Uma Nota Manila
Award: Gold, Hospitality Interiors, Restaurants & Cafe's, Small Practice (Under 20 Employees), 2024
Location: Manila, Philippines
Design Practice: The Odd Duck Design
Client: Uma Nota
Uma Nota is a Japanese-Brazilian restaurant with a dynamic ambience that transitions from a sophisticated dining experience to a vibrant nightlife venue. Following its success in Hong Kong and Paris, Uma Nota has opened in Manila, Philippines, with a reimagined design by The Odd Duck Design. Spanning 650 square metres, the restaurant has been divided into three zones: The Living Room & Bar, Tropicalia (Brazilian room), and Meiji (Japanese room).
"The spatial layout is thoughtful, effortlessly transitioning between intimate, private, and communal spaces. A dramatic double-height space provides grandeur and adds depth to the overall experience. Carefully selected materials add visual and tactile richness with layered quality," the judges said.
They also praised the use of "natural textures, polished metals, and bold architectural details".
"This creates an inviting yet dynamic atmosphere that feels refined without being overly formal. The project expertly balances elegance with energy and bold with subtle, creating a sophisticated fusion of cultural expression," they added.
Uma Nota’s concept serves as a homage to the Japanese - Brazilian interwoven identities in Sao Paolo, in particular the vibrant neighbourhood of Liberdade, a cultural hub where the Japanese community interwove with the vibrant tapestry of the Brazilian society. The client brief was to create a design that captured the essence of this marriage of cultures.
The Living Room occupies the double-height space and features a neutral palette. A suspended preserved tree with silk leaves is set against plaster-adorned walls and curved arches, with dramatic lighting and silhouettes enhancing the room. The floor is lined with hardwood parquet in a basketweave pattern, softened by locally sourced sisal rugs.
The bar contrasts industrial materials like polished copper and mirrored ceilings with soft, tactile finishes of pink-hued velvets and leathers. A bespoke wall covering with tropical prints celebrates Brazil’s flora and fauna and serves as a backdrop to the bottle gantry.
"The central challenge was to design a space that maintains its elegance during the day and transforms into an energetic and exclusive venue at night," The Odd Duck Design said.
Design highlights
The designer's ethereal and sculptural approach captures Brazil’s raw and uninhibited nature, represented by a real preserved tree with intricate silk leaves, gracefully suspended at the heart of the double height space.
The private-dining rooms, Tropicalia and Meiji, showcase their unique identities and multifunctional space-planning. Tropicalia draws inspiration from the Brazilian movement that redefined 1970s counterculture, with a corner dedicated to music enthusiasts featuring original vinyls, curvaceous forms and pink hues. Meiji, on the opposite side, is adorned with bespoke wall covering shimmering in rich blues and gold leaf accents. A whimsical marble communal table and velvet mustard sofas frame the space.
The judges said: "The private dining rooms, each with its own distinct theme, transport guests to different epochs and locations, offering unique dining and nightlife experience. Each space within the restaurant tells a story, with all dramatic elements incorporated in the design working together to create a strong and memorable sense of place."
Photo credit: Sergei Nekrasov
- FOUNDER & DIRECTOR: Asmaa Said