SOCIAL DINING

Press Index

Malaysia Chic | December 2008

The Edge | Opinion | 27th Feb 2006

Harper's Bazaar | August 2006

TRENDS Magazine | September 2006

New Asia Bars + Restaurants | design book | coming soon

Faces | Sept 2006 | Issue 70

Metro | M40 Food | 11th August 2006

Corporate Journey Magazine | September 2006

Le Prestige | June 2006

Star | September 23rd 2006

 sevenatenine

Harper's Bazaar | Bazaar Life | Design

July 2006

Text : Joseph Teoh

Photos copyright sevenatenine | untold images.com.my

C  I  T  Y    S  L  I  C  K  E  R    

Designer Ed Poole gives his new venture at Sevenatenine an outside-in perspective

Where Ed Poole to decorate a shoe box you could well expect something fabulous to transpire and possibly a write-up about it in an industry design rag. In the mind of the interior designer and mastermind behind The Westin's EEST and QBA, and W Retreat & Spa Maldives F+B outlets [among many other five-star design accomplishments], the art of filling space is a passion for perfection.

Based in Singapore, where he has lived for the last 16 years, Poole has dotted the city with his inspirations on how people should style their nights with food, song and drink. His latest creative rendezvous in Kuala Lumpur was crafted to signify a resort in the heart of the city. Sevenatenine sits beautifully at the prestigious Ascott property where elegance and modernity quietly juxtapose the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.

Stunning view of the Petronas Twin Towers from the upper level of Sevenatenine

"One of the very first things we observed of the site was that it did not have enough space. We had no recourse but to smash the place to bits in order to reconstruct seating capacity of 200. The windows were taken out to project an extension because if a space is not big enough, it is never going to energize even if the hordes do come," says Poole, explaining the first steps of his creative process. Washed in pristine white, with stark lighting that enhances the organic feel of the furniture, the space imparts a sense of relaxation. There is no line to denote the interior or the exterior, only the sun's setting to remind you that in certain parts of the place, you are al fresco. All that is missing is the ocean and the wailing of seagulls. "Originally we had intended it to have the feel of an urban pajama party," he says with a laugh.

"Most of the furniture is rather easy to take care of, but the sofas are a bit of an extravagance," he adds, referring to the white Italian sofas spilling over with soft white cushions on the outer deck. With a total cost of well over RM3 million, it certainly seems only the best will do for Poole's projects. Sexy laidback and stylish, its modern structure, hidden within lush greenery, provides an uncompromising view of the city. Of the mindset that nature need not be a hindrance to design, Poole works closely with the philosophy to the point of customizing panels to allow tree branches to hover inside the deck. "The idea of putting glass panels all around the area was to hold the air-conditioning inside, creating a micro-climate. It's a perfect situation with the trees, as they add lushness to the view while preventing hot air from blowing in. We probably would not have gotten away with this concept if it were not for the trees," says the American architect, a member of the Chicago Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.