Arena Kitchen: A Versatile Event-Dining Venue Inspired by Organic Sea Curves

Transforming a Dated Restaurant into a Sophisticated Space

As Hong Kong’s go-to venue for gigs and expos, Arena Kitchen is the perfect meeting place for work and leisure, nestled next to the city's underrated natural beauty. This versatile event-dining venue has undergone a stunning transformation, with a new visual language inspired by organic sea curves applied to its multi-level ceiling, infrastructure, and movable furniture. The result is a sophisticated open-floor restaurant that exudes charm and coziness, making it a prime space for all occasions and party sizes.

From its humble beginnings as a dated diner, Arena Kitchen now boasts an intimate dining-bar area and an outdoor cafe space, separated by marble tiles and a transverse wave-like partition. The cafe area is flooded with natural light, mimicking the gentle curves of the sea, which extend from the multi-level ceiling to the concave projection wall, bar counter, and movable furniture. Wood accent walls add warmth and style, creating a welcoming atmosphere for every occasion.

The design of Arena Kitchen is a testament to the meticulous attention to detail and innovative use of technology. The curved ceiling seamlessly flows into a projection wall, accentuated by dimmable LED lights that bring balance and airiness to the venue. Movable furniture graces the floor, optimizing space and forming a continuous rhythm with the wave-like partition. The underlying neutral palette is paired with wood veneer panels for warmth, while marble tabletops exude class. The 7m bar counter features faux marble finishing, creating a seamless feel that complements the flowy display shelf.

With a total indoor and outdoor space of 1,700 sq ft, Arena Kitchen is a versatile backdrop for various events. The marble takeaway counter flows into the open floor plan, lined with movable furniture and a wave-inspired partition. A white acrylic feature wall takes center stage, updated thematically, and is complemented by wood veneer furniture and fixtures. The round ceiling morphs naturally into a projection wall, meticulously concealing a connecting door to the expo.

Inspired by the spectacular sea view that surrounds the convention center, organic curves run through the divided dining spaces and takeaway counter, from the multi-level ceiling to the bar counter and wave-like partition on the open floor. Wood wall paneling and marble tabletops complement the underlying neutral palette, bringing coziness into the setting. Space is optimized by movable furniture pieces that can be rearranged throughout the day to serve different dining and social experiences.

The project to transform Arena Kitchen started in June 2020 at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong's major convention and exhibition center, and was completed in October 2020. The NOVUS Penetralis Limited team worked closely with the client and facility management team to ensure compliance with strict regulations set by the Airport Authority Hong Kong. Despite the challenges, the project was completed in a tight timeframe of four months, from conception to implementation. Shortly after its opening, the client reported an immediate increase in business, even amidst the pandemic.

Arena Kitchen's unique design and attention to detail have earned it recognition in the design world. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2021. This prestigious award recognizes designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology. Arena Kitchen's innovative and resourceful design contributes to quality of life improvements, making it a truly exceptional space.

Photographer William Fung beautifully captures the essence of Arena Kitchen in all the images.