Phuket Cafe & Langbaan

For its first 10 years, Langbaan existed as an in-the-know-secret behind its sister restaurant, Paadee. Chef and owner Earl Ninsom partnered with Eric Nelson to expand on the concept and pair the tasting-menu restaurant with a more casual daytime spot. Out of this, Phuket Cafe was born. Half ode to the colorful streets of Old Phuket Town, half lush hidden oasis, the new location offers a Thai dining experience unlike any other in the city.

PRESS

Deliverables


  • Interior Strategy

  • Interior Design

  • Brand Strategy

  • Identity Design

  • Collateral & Signage

Collaborators

  • 
Katherine Garber, interiors

  • Arazu Construction, general contractor

  • Level Plane, tile

  • House of Vonne, upholstery
  • Kirsten Bauer, signpainting

  • Christine Dong, photos

Completed 2022

One part nostalgic, one part surreal: when you come across Phuket Cafe, you feel instantly transported to another place, as if you’re on a train headed straight to Phuket. It’s buzzing with the energy of a city center and the anticipation of arriving at your destination. Like the town itself, Phuket Cafe (made up of the exterior and bar side of the space) takes influence from vibrant elements of both Western and Eastern design. Outdoor diners may be seated at a “ticket counter” or in the streetside “train car.” 

Old Phuket Town

Phuket Cafe’s branding takes inspiration from Old Phuket Town, known for its vibrant pastel-painted buildings. The architecture there has strong Portuguese and Chinese influences from immigrant communities. The visual language of this neighborhood is striking, with pastel colors and decorative facades.

Phuket, Thailand is also a destination on vintage steam railways. We played off this transportive energy in the visual identity with a ticket-like feel, as well as in the “train car” street seating.

If Phuket Cafe is the journey, then Langbaan is the destination. We kept the elements of surprise that make Langbaan unique—the semi-hidden location, rotating menu, and arresting flavors—and translated that into a lush oasis behind Phuket’s bright exterior. Langbaan’s identity remains the same as their previous iteration, with new interiors tucked inside the other half of the space. 

Wood screens, deeper greens, and a thicket of plants create a darker, cozier feel. Hand-hewn tiles and patinaed surfaces provide a textural, time-worn quality. Our custom wallpaper features the native Ti plant, incorporating some of Phuket’s pink to connect the two sides.

Back of the House

The Thai word “Langbaan” translates to “back of the house,” where the kitchen and dining room are located in Thai homes. The cozy space is where families and friends share meals and make memories.

With this intimate space as inspiration, we looked to warm Thai homes that open up to lush garden courtyards. Warm lighting, natural wood, and rustic tiles are enclosed under a canopy of greenery. Phuket’s pink train car outside ushers guests into the verdant interior of Langbaan.

“The room is a charmer, mixing vintage-modern Thailand and industrial Northwest in a cozy sea of mini-booths, counter seats, lush green walls, sleek wood, and rugged beams. Outside, a pink-and-red train-car shaped structure shows what streetside eating can look like: architectural with mood lighting and colorful personality.”
 - Portland Monthly

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