Our interior design team, dhki, delivers bespoke interior designs and turn-key fit-outs that meet intelligently at the intersection between architecture, brand and place. dhki’s recent collaboration with Rockwell Group on the renowned Nobu restaurant located at the five-star One&Only Cape Town hotel situated at the V+A Waterfront perfectly showcases dhki’s ability to act as architect of record and effectively collaborate with other designers to meticulously implement their design from concept through to completion. dhki were pivotal insourcing and specifying materials and finishes appropriate to the local context whilst maintaining the luxury and quality of an internationally renowned brand.‍

The project to refurbish Nobu began in late March 2025 and was successfully delivered in December 2025. It includes the reimagining of the Nobu dining space on the ground floor as well as the private Reserve Room, on the upper level. The Reserve Room serves as wine experience room for the hosting of exclusive private events and functions.

The globally renowned Nobu brand is the brainchild of chef and restaurateur Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, known for his unique take on traditional Japanese cuisine with Peruvian ingredients, a style often referred to as “Nobu style”. With over 50 Nobu restaurants and hotels across all continents, One&Only Cape Town is home to the only Noburestaurant in Southern Africa.

design intent
According to dhki Director Lisa Bridgeford, the core idea behind the Rockwell Group design was to integrate Cape Town's local essence into every detail, from joinery to artwork, to reflect the unique craftsmanship of the region. She explains: “We worked closely with Rockwell Group to commission local suppliers and artisans who could achieve the high standards set by Nobu and the Kerzner Group. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together.”

On the project, dhki was the architect of record, focusing on construction documentation, implementation and overseeing the design’s execution.

‍implementation and coordination
Senior Interior Designer Robyn van Ryneveld led the project, drawing on her extensive hospitality experience and skills in concept design, technical detailing, furniture design and product sourcing and specification. Since joining dhki in2023, Robyn has worked on a range of dhki and dhk projects such as the refurbishment of a new campus for Good Hope Studies in Cape Town and premium mixed-use residential developments in Cape Town and Mauritius.

dhki’s responsibilities were twofold: sourcing and matching all specifications locally, and converting design development drawings into a construction documentation. Once construction began, the dhki team oversaw the installation, working with contractors and subcontractors to ensure the design intent was achieved through constant communication and coordination.

Robyn explains: “We were given a design intent and our role was to ensure it was achieved, managing the approval processes and engaging extensively with the designers and client. From there, it was about working with the project team once we had everything in place.”

Given that Rockwell Group is based in New York, coordination required meticulous attention to detail. “They sent us a box of control samples. We took those finishes and matched them to local specifications,” says Robyn.

celebrating local craftsmanship
To implement Rockwell Group's vision, dhki engaged with local artists and artisans who were in the end instrumental in creating the beautifully detailed and texturally engaging space

“By empowering small local design companies and artisans, we could elevate their craftsmanship alongside the Nobu brand, and also truly reflect Cape Town’s vibrant culture,” says Lisa.

Robyn believes the artists and consultants “made the project what it is” and “credit should go to the people who made the space”.
She notes: “We worked with the best local crafters and artists in their respective fields. It was a real privilege to collaborate with these specialists and see them doing what they do best. Everyone appointed was strong in their specialty and that's what made for a successful project.”

Some of the local contributors included the following:

- Fine Artist Julia Swanepoel Pepler who has exhibited extensively in contemporary design shows in South Africa. Julia collaborated with Rugalia and produced three large ’deconstructed’ art hangings for display in the Nobu restaurant dining area.

- Bronze Age, the creative studio by Otto du Plessis and Charles Haupt, created refined bronze metal accents and architectural details.

- Multidisciplinary art and design studio Artep Studio, under the creative direction of Petra Maierhofer, created liquid metal artworks which are on display in the Reserve Room.

- Sandi and Camila Gillman, the mother-daughter duo behind Cape Town-based textile studio, Sett & Beat, designed and crafted textile clad panels at the host area. They also wove custom hand dyed wool, leather and hemp blinds which allow for the delicate interplay of light and shade at the main dining area throughout the day.

- Fine artist Patrick Rapai created high relief plaster art panels which celebrate hand applied plaster techniques, a truly specialist craft.‍

- Libra Joiners & Interiors, with decades of experience in joinery and steel fabrication, handled all the intricately detailed joinery work.

- Rugalia who manufactured the custom inset rugs at The Reserve Room.

dhki’s track record
‍This project builds on dhki's established expertise in implementing design concepts on local projects for leading international studios. The team has delivered interior designs by David Collins Studio for Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch and by 1508 London for Cape Grace Hotel at the V&A Waterfront.

While dhki is part of the dhk group, the studio works with a diverse range of clients including other architects as well as developers, landlords, agents and designers in the hospitality commercial, retail and leisure sectors across Africa and the Middle East.

On the hospitality front, dhki is currently implementing its own designs for various clients locally and internationally, including work with a prominent hotel group undertaking significant expansion across sub-Saharan Africa.

Through dedication and collaboration, dhki has delivered a space that not only meets the high standards of the Nobu brand but also celebrates the rich talent and craftsmanship of Cape Town.

Photograph: One&Only Cape Town

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