Our Showcase
Client
Thevar
Floor Area
2,650 sqft
Location
Singapore
Year of Completion
2025
The Architecture of Taste & A Vessel for Heritage: The New Home of Thevar
Design is a silent host—most potent when it is felt rather than seen. For the new home of the two-Michelin-starred Thevar, our role at 932 Design Group was to craft a vessel that honors Chef Mano’s heritage while allowing his culinary artistry to remain the protagonist - elevating every moment from the first step through the door to the final course.
Located within a 19th-century Peranakan shophouse, the design serves as a sensorial tribute, bridging the quiet grandeur of Chola temples with the lived-in warmth of an Indian home. Here is how the space was crafted to heighten the dining experience.
A Choreographed Transition - A great meal requires a shift in mindset. We designed the entrance as a series of intentional thresholds to help the guest transition from the noise of the city into a state of focus.
The journey begins at the Gopura—a quiet gateway that stirs curiosity—before moving through the Mandapam, an array of pillars that creates a rhythmic sense of alignment. This path culminates in the Inner Courtyard, a central sanctum illuminated by a soft, artificial skylight. By building this sense of anticipation, the architecture prepares the guest for the storytelling that unfolds on the plate
Materiality as a Backdrop for Flavor We believe the environment should never compete with the cuisine; it should provide the resonance for it.
Texture and Depth: Hand-applied lime plaster evokes the rawness of ancient granite, creating a muted, earthy backdrop that allows the vibrant colors and complex textures of Chef Mano’s dishes to truly pop.
Intentional Contrast: To mirror the boldness of the menu, we injected deep saffron (kesari) leathered seating into the palette. This sudden pulse of energy serves as a visual bridge between the traditional heritage of the space and the contemporary energy of the food.
The Intimacy of Light and Shadow - The atmosphere is intentionally dimmed, casting the architecture into a contemplative, almost sacred light. By leaning into shadow, we narrow the guest’s focus. The distractions of the room fade away, leaving only the pool of light over the table, the vibrant Gond tribal art on the walls, and the intimate dialogue between the diner and the chef.
Elevating the Private Encounter - On the second level, the "Chef’s Hideaway" elevates the concept of private dining. Reached via a rhythmic, glowing stairway, this sanctuary is wrapped in the warmth of a home rather than a restaurant. From the handcrafted stone handles to the serene domed corridor, every detail is designed to foster a deeper, more personal connection to the heritage of the craft
At 932 Design Group, we believe that when design is executed with intention, it doesn't just house a dining experience—it becomes an essential part of the flavor itself.
