The complete refurbishment to an existing popular establishment in the vibrant heart of the Chinatown precinct provides a more efficient front-of-house layout, front dining areas and an upgraded street presence to positively contribute to the existing street environment.

The frontage was substantially re-modeled to incorporate large folding glazed panels, enabling immediate internal dining areas to visually link to external dining areas, thus providing a permeable active front to the street edge. Stone facings replaced the poor visual quality of the existing frontage, and stainless steel cladding to existing and new columns define a generous entry area. Stainless steel signage and graphics were also developed to provide an identifiable identity for the establishment.

Internally, a defined bar area is pushed back into the restaurant with a more efficient layout, freeing-up the entire frontage internally for dining, while a generous waiting area was inserted for improved operation and handling of customers. Oversized fish tanks supported within a full-height stainless steel-lined element provides a focus to the waiting and bar areas, delineating them from adjacent dining areas while offering interest for dining customers and passers-by alike.

Date: 2005 - 2007
Location: Haymarket, Sydney / Gadigal Land

Builder: Owner
Structural Engineer: SDA Structures
Photography: Brett Boardman Photography