05 December 2011

Nok Nok Thai Eating House

A new restaurant in Sydney's Darling Quarter was inspired by the airy aesthetics of the traditional Thai temple.

Giant Design were brought on board to create a new addition to Sydney's revitalised Darling Quarter precinct; something that was "not [just] another dark Thai restaurant".

The project team of Chris Wilks, Irene Haryono and Hannah Surtees took their inspiration from the Thai temple - a quintessential Thai work of architecture that is light, airy, intimate and garden-like.

Off-white marble, Corian, gold and silver mirror and gold Alucabond feature heavily in the interior. The wall cladding was laser cut into an intricate lotus leaf pattern that changes according to the panel width used.

A mirrored ceiling brings depth and volume to the space. Light-adorned fig and wisteria trees add softness and subtle illumination.

A showcase kitchen set within a gold tiled box is a dramatic focal point of the space.

'Nok nok' means 'little bird', a motif that appears throughout the restaurant's graphic identity. The detail in these visual elements create a subtle but effective impact.