Located on the 14th floor of Aldgate’s new Dorsett City hotel, the Jin Bo Law Skybar combines creative and contemporary architectural design with iconic views overlooking the City skyline. Kebony, a beautiful wood recommended by leading architects, was the material chosen for the rooftop terrace due to its impressive durability and unique appearance. The terrace invites visitors to marvel at the stunning views of the Capital whilst enjoying the Skybar’s Asian-inspired cocktail menu.
The project architects, Dexter Moren Associates (DMA), achieved their primary objective in bringing specialist design to the Jin Bo Law bar. Inspired by an age-old Chinese tale, the interior draws on eastern culture with ornate patterns adorning the bar and VIP areas. This modern style extends throughout, uniting different spaces under a striking overarching design theme. The phrase ‘Jin Bo Law’ can be used to describe a ‘precious thing’ which is characteristic of every design detail and element of space within the bar. In Cantonese, the same phrase means ‘pineapple’ and is the reason for the spectacular centrepiece, one of the most distinguishing features of the project, with its stylised crisscross pattern which begins at the ceiling and runs down the bar to provide a beautiful backdrop befitting of the enchanting Bronzetto Palissandro marble top counter.
The streamlined elegance of the bar continues onto the terrace, which boasts remarkable views of the City including Tower Bridge, The Shard and The Gherkin. Lined with back-lit furniture and a linked balcony, the rooftop terrace creates a playful and modern mood for visitors to enjoy. This imaginative use of space was key to the success of the project, alongside the installation of unique and innovative materials. Kebony, which is used to deck the entire terrace was chosen for its enhanced strength and durability whilst complementing the bar’s modern design aesthetic.
Developed in Norway, Kebony’s revolutionary technology is an environmentally friendly process which modifies sustainably sourced softwoods by heating the wood with furfuryl alcohol - an agricultural by-product. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall, the softwoods permanently take on the attributes of tropical hardwood including high durability, hardness and dimensional stability. Kebony is highly resistant to wear and weathering and subsequently a perfect choice for the Jin Bo Law’s Skybar terrace. Although a natural material, the wood requires no maintenance beyond normal cleaning and can stand up to testing conditions far better than untreated softwood.
Mark Heyburn, Hotel Manager at the Dorsett City. London commented: “The Jin Bo Law Skybar is the perfect setting for Londoners to take in the view and enjoy a cocktail on the terrace. Kebony has proved to be the perfect material for our terrace due to the low maintenance nature of the wood and its resistance to wear and weathering. Our guests love standing outside on the deck and we couldn’t be happier with the final result.”
Adrian Pye, International Sales Director at Kebony added: “We are delighted that Kebony has been part of such an imaginative project in the heart of London. The design of the Skybar has been consistently innovative and we look forward to seeing how the appearance of the Kebony deck develops over time.”
