The interior finds beauty in the bones of the original structure, celebrating the humble elegance of imperfection. “On entering, there is a gradual unfolding of the restaurant, loosely based on the layout of historic Asian architecture,” says Gomes-McNabb. Layered vignettes offer glimpses into the immersive world within – a cocktail bar, a glazed wine cellar, a private disco room – a smorgasbord of scenes framed in every window to entice the passing crowd. “The project is a reminder that new does not mean shiny and that agile design thinking allows existing contexts to become part of the character and identity of a place,” adds Rogers.
Upcycled stone, draped acoustic panels and natural timber introduce a warm tactility against an enveloping neon haze – a visual cue of the day-to-night transition reminiscent of suburban Chinese eateries. Metallic fixtures hang overhead in the spirit of raw utility, while bold lipstick hues infuse the space with intimacy. “The material language was used to counterbalance the hardness of the shell,” explains Gomes-McNabb. “Layered ceiling and lighting strategies transform a visually heavy space into one that feels vibrant and immersive.” The branding is similarly loud yet simple. Vertical light boxes announce the venue as a glowing lantern to the surrounding streetscape, while linear glyphs trace across partition glazing, mirrors and upstands.
