Overwater Bamboo Restaurant | Atelier Nomadic

Overwater Bamboo Restaurant’s Design Concept

Throughout human history, adventurers, mariners, and navigators have recounted captivating tales of mythical sea creatures discovered in the profound depths of the ocean. From the legendary leviathan that engulfed Jonah, the colossal squid engaged in a struggle with the Nautilus, to Moby Dick’s pursuit of vengeance against the Pequod and its crew, our maritime literature, nautical charts, and shared consciousness abound with narratives featuring sea monsters. Amidst these seafaring accounts, the Overwater Bamboo Restaurant takes center stage multiple times, weaving seamlessly into the rich tapestry of our maritime lore.

Occasionally, these legendary beings make their way to the upper realms. A serene, tropical lagoon in the Maldives has become the recent haven for one of these graceful titans, where a privileged few can savor exquisite Japanese fare within the creature’s tranquil embrace. Deep within the creature’s belly, beneath its striking bamboo ribcage, the Overwater Bamboo Restaurant offers an extraordinary dining experience that resonates with its gentle presence.

Atelier Nomadic spearheaded the redesign of the existing jetty structure at Banyan Tree Vabinfaru to craft a distinctive dining encounter through the Overwater Yakitori Restaurant and Bar. This remarkable display of biomimicry draws inspiration from the graceful profile of Pink Whiprays (Pateobatis fai) gliding in the nearby lagoon. The naturally ventilated, bio-climatic design boasts a remarkable sea saltwater infinity pool and an assortment of overwater catamaran nets, allowing guests to unwind amid awe-inspiring sunset vistas while gently embracing the sea breeze. The Overwater Bamboo Restaurant, a masterpiece by Atelier Nomadic, introduces a new iconic dining milieu at Banyan Tree Vabinfaru.

Meticulously fashioned from bamboo, the Overwater Bamboo Restaurant’s design harmonizes seamlessly with the captivating Maldivian surroundings, casting an amplified presence mirrored in the lagoon’s tranquil surface. The building’s shingled tail, gracefully looping, descends along the jetty, ingeniously connecting the structure to the mainland and as a guiding pathway for visitors entering the remarkable Overwater Bamboo Restaurant.

Drawing inspiration from the Dhivehi language, where “Madi” represents “ray” and “Hiyaa” signifies “shelter,” the Overwater Bamboo Restaurant, named Madi Hiyaa, pays homage to the graceful rays traversing the Indian Ocean. The entire roof structure of this iconic building is meticulously crafted from bamboo, showcasing the remarkable potential of this extraordinary building material. As a Bamboo Ambassador at the World Bamboo Organization, lead architect Olav Bruin from Atelier Nomadics aimed to highlight bamboo’s capabilities in this distinctive location.

Bamboo, one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable building materials, is an effective carbon sink, aligning with the imperative shift toward a more sustainable future in the construction industry. The Overwater Bamboo Restaurant is a testament to bamboo’s potential role in shaping a sustainable and eco-friendly architectural landscape.

The Overwater Bamboo Restaurant takes form through a set of hyperbolic paraboloid columns and roof trusses, mirroring the endoskeleton of the Mobulidae family. The primary structure incorporates Dendrocalamus Asper bamboo, while the grid infill utilizes the more miniature Gigantochloa Apus bamboo. Timber shingles adorn the roof, creating a distinctive architectural composition for the Overwater Bamboo Restaurant.

Project Info:
Architects: Atelier Nomadic
Area: 850 m²
Year: 2023
Photographs: Joe Chua Agdeppa
Main Contractor: Asali Bali
Design Team: Olav Bruin, with Louis Thompson, Habiba Mukhtar
Country: Maldives