The iconic Raffles Hotel Singapore, which originally opened in 1887, officially reopened in August 2019 having been restored and refurbished by Aedas.

Aedas lead a multi-disciplinary team for the hotel restoration which included designing the high-end Yi restaurant, by celebrity Chef Jereme Leung. Yi offers the very best in fine dining with contemporary Chinese cuisine. Elegant and fresh, the interior design takes the guest on an incredible sensory journey.

Yi by Jereme Leung, Raffles © Owen Raggett
Yi by Jereme Leung, Raffles © Owen Raggett

Yi Restaurant By Jereme Leung – The Story

Adapted from the Chinese Creation Myths, the design story of Restaurant Yi depicts the creation of Heaven and Earth by the god Pangu. The restaurant celebrates the concept of family roots and values passed on to future generations. By story-telling and reinterpretation in a modern progressive way, Lead Interior Designer Aedas aimed to create a hidden world for guests to explore within this historical landmark.

Yi by Jereme Leung, Raffles © Owen Raggett

Located on level three of the hotel, the restaurant features a bar, a main dining hall, two private dining rooms, and an experience room where chef personally showcases dishes to his guests.

After going through a garden tunnel, guests are greeted with the main dining hall. A series of plaster ceiling sculptures create a blanket overhead, reminiscent of the varying shades of the sky. A refined yet humble palette of natural materials like marble and timber in the surroundings, bring the earth concept to life.

Materialised Product

The restaurant walls are clad with custom modern chinoiserie artworks made from Florence Broadhurst ‘The Cranes’ fabric. Digitally printed in Sydney Australia on Arizona base cloth, the design delivers a coherent narrative of nature. The custom textile was cleverly applied on to the flat skimmed surface for panelling like wall covering.

Results / Awards

Shortlisted for Restaurant & Bar Design Awards; Ahead Awards; International Hotel & Property Awards 2020.


The Team & Credits

Interior Designers / Architect: Simon Thompson (Executive Principle) Ji An (Associate Director, Design Lead) and Susan Abraham Aedas Interiors; Craig Watkins (Snr Associate) Aedas.
Client: Katara Hospitality 
Photographer: © Owen Raggett
Materialised Agent: BODE, Singapore