03 / The Body
The final layer of LUA is the experience of the space itself, a refined waterfront destination that brings the initial sketches into high-fidelity reality.
Now complete, the 280-capacity venue serves as a sophisticated transition between the structured interior and the openness of the bay. The ""Body"" of the project is defined by its ability to perform atmospherically and operationally, moving from the density of the internal dining room to the relaxed alfresco terrace.
The finishing touches complete the narrative:
- The Alfresco Transition: Custom Vietnamese parasols soften the edge of the terrace, creating an inviting, relaxed experience for guests overlooking the water.
- Material Harmony: The final installation of oak furniture and banquette seating introduces a sense of calm that anchors the room against the intensity of the open-fire kitchen.
- Integrated Ambience: With no visible lighting, the sculptural ceiling plane provides a soft, even glow that allows the textures of stone and timber to take centre stage.
A Cultural Anchor: The finished space celebrates the ocean's bounty while offering a menu as vibrant and diverse as Sydney itself.
This is where the research, the craft, and the vision finally meet. LUA is now open at the New Sydney Fish Market.
This is The Body.
02 / The Soul
The soul of LUA resides in the tension between the intensity of the kitchen and the calm of the dining room.
Anchored by a sculptural exhaust hood, a quiet nod to the historical French influence in Vietnam, the open kitchen serves as the focal point of the space. Here, the rawness of charcoal cooking meets a highly refined architectural palette.
To balance the fire at the heart of the room, we leaned into a ""restrained and architectural"" design language:
- The Material Contrast: We grounded the space using stone, timber, and ceramics to contrast the heat of the kitchen.
- Crafted Details: Three-dimensional ceramic wall tiles and finely resolved timber elements reference regional Vietnamese craft.
- Calm Interiors: Oak furniture and banquette seating provide a sense of warmth and composure.
- Invisible Light: Lighting is fully integrated with no visible fittings, allowing the ceiling to read as a single, sculptural plane.
The result is a contemporary environment where every detail is culturally informed and deeply considered. By centering the soul of the restaurant on the open fire, we've created a space that is as atmospheric as it is operationally rigorous.
This is The Soul
This is the second of a three-part series. Up next: The Body.
01 / The Mind
Before the first coal is lit or the first tile is laid, there is the research.
For LUA, the journey began with a deep investment in understanding the brief, from the service rhythms dining rooms to the sourcing of specific materials. The project is defined by a balance of restraint and richness, where materiality and cultural references are carefully layered to create a contemporary environment that feels both refined and deeply considered.
LUA (the Vietnamese word for fire) is where fire meets water. It is a conceptual weave of Vietnamese culture, Thai roots, and Australian produce.
We believe in making the process visible, earning the brief through a rigorous commitment to the craft:
- Elemental Storytelling: Moving from hand-drawn sketches to real-time rendered outcomes.
- Material Integrity: A curated palette of stone, timber, and ceramics that grounds the dining room.
- Technical Precision: Detailed joinery and custom Vietnamese parasols that soften the transition from the structured interior to the openness of the bay.
This is The Mind.
This is the first of a three-part series exploring the Mind, the Soul, and the Body of LUA.
The design of the EOT space is arranged through the undulating terrain with space for bike and
scooter storage in a freeform track formation.
The bikes are stored under an colour changing LED NewMat stretch ceiling, a technique reserved for Batman’s garage rather than and End of Trip facility.
#interiors #spaces #officedesign #endoftrip #designedinteriors #australiandesign #ideas #brisbane #drivenbydesign
The space is deliberately dark, allowing the rider to calm naturally upon entering the space. From there, the lighting levels gradually increase to more visible levels inside shower and wet areas.
#interiors #spaces #officedesign #endoftrip #designedinteriors #australiandesign #ideas #brisbane #drivenbydesign
Our client approached us with a clear vision: to create an end-of-trip facility that breaks away from the ordinary and unexciting.
#interiors #spaces #officedesign #endoftrip #designedinteriors #australiandesign #ideas #brisbane #drivenbydesign
Official : KOI has won on an international stage at the 2023 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, Australia & Pacific Café category.
Many thanks to our visionary clients and the team at KOI for working with us to deliver this incredible project.
Project Team
Rod Faucheux Director
Jarek Knoppek Associate
James Capewell Senior Designer
Greg Dunk LO-FI
Sheeth
Congratulations to this year’s nominees and winners, industry-leading peers from across the globe, and our gratitude to Marco Rebora and the RBDA for this recognition of our work, as officially one of the world’s most creative spaces.
#hospitalitydesign #retaildesign #bardesign #cafedesign #restaurantdesign #restaurantandbardesign #RBDA23 #interiordesign
Our entry for @shitboxrally Autumn 2023 @the_drty_shoey_sbr heads off tomorrow from Newcastle to Townsville via Betoota a 7 day journey of over 3000km to raise funds for @cancercouncil of Australia research.
We had the privilege of rolling up @the_drty_shoey_sbr into the middle of the Walker Corporation's @parramattasquare development.
Thank you to all of our sponsors and supporters and in particular Lang Walker and @walkercorporation for being our principal Sponsor and coming along this journey with us.
@richie_jb@loopcreative
#shitboxrally
#shitboxrally2023
#cancerresearch
#AustralianCancerCouncil
#walkercorporation
#loopcreative
