Creating a flawless dining experience

Featuring lavish furnishings, a custom Cantonese kitchen and unique ambience, Huami – SKYCITY’s latest high-end eatery - utilised VR technology to create a flawless dining experience.

From handcrafted dim sum and Sichuan-style seafood to wood-fired Peking duck – the new Federal Street restaurant in Auckland is serving up deliciously authentic Chinese cuisine with a modern twist.

Located adjacent to SKYCITY’s main entrance, this challenging, fast-track project required a well-planned, inconspicuous approach to ensure minimal disruption to existing business. The complex layout, with a custom kitchen and varying sized dining areas also presented challenges.

To design this world-class restaurant, SKYCITY enlisted a team of industry experts including renowned Kiwi chef Nic Watt of MASU, esteemed Malaysian chef Jeff Tan, and leading Las Vegas architect YWS, alongside Moller Architects.

We collaborated closely with the team to deliver custom building services and structural design. Services include a specialised extract system for the wood-fired duck oven, dedicated air conditioning for private dining rooms, and systems to effectively manage kitchen exhaust air in close proximity to surrounding restaurants.

To optimise processes and minimise errors, we used our latest virtual reality (VR) technology to provide valuable insights prior to construction.

Fully immersed in the VR environment, the client and chefs were able to virtually walk-through the restaurant and visualise the layout, architectural elements, and kitchen configuration; noting adjustments to elements such as bench heights, table spacing and the ability for staff to move around easily and efficiently.

Without VR, such attention to detail would not have been possible. Now Aucklanders can enjoy a world-class, authentic and contemporary Chinese dining experience like no other.

Awards

• 2018 Property Council New Zealand Awards – RCG Retail Property, Excellence Award
• 2018 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards - Silver Award, Commercial Fit Out