Nobu Doha

Doha, Qatar

Restaurant

Continuing a longtime collaboration with Nobu Matsuhisa, Rockwell Group has designed the first freestanding Nobu Restaurant, located at Doha's Four Seasons Hotel. Emerging from the sparkling waters of Doha Bay, the three-story, ovoid structure anchors the northern end of the city's grand corniche. Natural materials that reflect the culture and cuisine of Japan are present at every turn, but Nobu Dohu is also completely of its place.

Client: Nobu

Project Category: Restaurant

What if a restaurant was the pearl of the Persian Gulf?

This location references the specific history of Doha, a city famous for pearl diving.

FPO DOH 776 — The restaurant's three glazed tiers are wrapped in ribbons of pale river stone and capped with bronze accents. Special lighting turns the coiled shell into a beacon.

The open-air interior of the building is supported by a stacked basalt tower. A reflecting pool surrounds the restaurant, connecting it to its waterfront site.

Worm's eye view from center of spiral Nobu Doha building.

Nobu Doha staircase. — Inviting guests towards the monumental arced timber staircase that winds through all the floors is a massive suspended installation of hundreds of pieces of iridescent pieces of porcelain made to look like fish scales, created specifically for Nobu Doha by the Canadian artist Ken Gangbar.

Detail shot of hanging porcelain pieces.

Nobu Doha June 2015 (21) — In the double-height main dining room, end-grain wood floors, columns clad in shells, and a field of spherical lights evoke the sea.

Guests are enveloped by woven abaca panels made by the Philippine artist Ken Cobonpue.

White Pearl Bar area with lounge seating. — Horizontal bronze cutouts accentuate the alabaster White Pearl Bar's circular form.

A warm glow emanates from clusters of custom pearl-shaped light fixtures by Ken Gangbar.

Black pearl bar area with city view. — The inverse of the White Pearl Bar, the Black Pearl Bar connects to the rooftop terrace.

Bush-hammered, tiered travertine floors, fire pits, and resin canopies that echo those in the main dining room provide a sense of intimacy on the rooftop lounge.

Nobu Doha with skyline in background. — From a distance, pale river stones make the building seem like a natural extension of the shore, while the city is on 360-degree-display.