The architecture and design firm Stantec completed the interior design for its latest hospitality project, Red Ginger, the much-anticipated, destination restaurant located in the upscale residential district, South of Fifth, in Miami Beach. 

The 3,300 sf restaurant is on the ground floor of a new eight-story building, also designed by Stantec, which was developed by the boutique management company, Menin Hospitality. 

Located at 736 First Street, Red Ginger features a Southeast Asian concept with Japanese-inspired cuisine. The interior, all-custom designed restaurant takes its cues from Thailand’s natural setting, conveying an authentic dining experience that is uniquely Asian and quietly lush.

“Our approach was to create a true sense of place that would transport diners to Southeast Asia, while incorporating bits of surprises throughout,” stated interior designer Susan LaFleur, associate, Stantec. “We succeeded in curating a space for Red Ginger that really speaks to the environment.”

INTERIOR 
Stantec sourced most of Red Ginger’s one-of-a-kind architectural elements in Southeast Asia. 

The space is divided into a reception area, large dining room, bar, and sushi bar. The staggered entrance was inspired from temples in the ancient capital of Thailand in Sukhothai. A striking, split faced Balinese Slate greets guests with lighting peeking underneath, as a teetering coral wall provides glimpses into the rest of the restaurant. The reception desk rests on a raw plank of wood fused together with melted aluminum, dramatically suspended from the ceiling. Wide-plank European Oak flooring sits at the base of the reception area, with matching wood ceiling and charcoal suede ceiling inserts. 

In the dining room, the restaurant’s hand-carved divider panels were inspired by sea fan corals found in the ocean in Thailand. Columns clad in limestone are inscribed with a Buddhist prayer found in the Khmer Rolous Temples in Cambodia, built 1,200 years ago. 

The design of a series of handmade bronzed teak leaf light fixtures that hover above the sushi bar, were inspired by the jungles of Koh Tarutao in Thailand, and the shell wall covering, produced in the Philippines, features brass sea urchins. 

The custom-designed furniture is solid wood with leather upholstery and was designed to have a contemporary, Asian feel with clean lines. The banquette tabletops are crafted from the base of cut trees, surrounded by poured concrete and lacquered glaze, with hand-carved wood screens soaring just above.

COLOR THEME AND LIGHTING 
Red Ginger’s overall palette embraces warm, neutral tones. Natural materials are used on the coral walls, suede fabric ceiling, and wood divider panels. True to the restaurant’s name, red accents were added throughout, from the signage behind the reception desk, to the glowing water feature, and the fresh red ginger flowers installed in the wall niches each day.

Red Ginger’s lighting was specifically created to complement and vividly accent the restaurant’s design concept. Hand-blown glass fixtures feature intertwined mesh, inviting a sense of mystique and sensuality. Illuminations sweeping a wall of sea urchins have the effects of shadows, and textures are strikingly highlighted with the lighting of different materials. The white onyx bars radiate with metal sea-fan panels, creating a diffused whimsical light. 

SUSTAINABILITY 
Stantec strives to use sustainable and green products where possible. Red Ginger’s green features include low VOC paint, natural materials, such as FSC certified wood and stone, as well as Greenguard certified leather. The upholstery was produced from a factory that is ISO 14001 certified. 

About Stantec
We're active members of the communities we serve. That's why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind. The Stantec community unites more than 15,000 employees working in over 250 locations. Our work—professional consulting in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management, and project economics—begins at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. With a long-term commitment to the people and places we serve, Stantec has the unique ability to connect to projects on a personal level and advance the quality of life in communities across the globe. www.stantec.com