Earthy materials and idiosyncratic elements combine to create a lively and contemporary Japanese restaurant.
June 3rd, 2015
Rich in timber and craft, and full of charm and sophistication, Masu’s interior was a collaboration between chef Nick Watt and architect Gordon Moller. Moller’s approach to craft, and knowledge of Japanese design, combined with Watt’s intimate knowledge of Japanese kitchens and service has created a soft warm interior that belies the high degree of precision behind its construction and operation.
It is a relatively large restaurant with seating for 150 guests. But it has been designed to feel comfortable even with just a few. This is achieved through a variety of tables, ceiling heights, spatial qualities and textures, and through clever manipulation of light.
Theatre is a recurring theme, from the food preparation and serving, to sawing blocks of ice for sashimi and drinks, and even the large painted dragon above the chef’s table.
Three elements anchor the large room: the impressive robata grill, a three-metre long charcoal burner that can be seen from every table, a long curving banquette wall, and a lane-side bar.
Within this framework, and sheltered below a contemporary timber pergola, the main dining room is filled with round wooden tables. Surfaces are lit with pin-spots that quickly fade to shadow, highlighting the food and subduing the background.
Sound is an essential ingredient in the experience of this restaurant, and beyond the hiss and sizzle of the grill, contemporary music fills the room. It feels glamorous but not intimidating on account of this lively atmosphere and its rich but warm interior.
Read the full article in the Hospitality issue of Indesign magazine, out on June 7, 2015.
Moller Architects
mollerarchitects.com
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
‘The Elevation of Gravity’ installation was an immersive showcase of innovation that heralded the debut of Gaggenau’s groundbreaking Essential Induction cooktop.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
Harmoniously incorporated into the natural landscape of the coast of Hayman Island, the luxurious private residence was designed by Kerry Hill Architects.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Art, design, architecture and hospitality all combine perfectly at The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne by BAR Studio and Cottee Parker.
Set to undergo a $60-million revitalisation, the National Gallery of Australia has announced the launch of a landscape design competition for its Sculpture Garden.