Interior Designer
NIX Restaurant & Bar
Interior Design (Documentation Project)
Location
Alec Fong Lim Dr, East Point, Darwin NT
Pre-design Condition:
Re-design and fit out of existing tenancy.
Client Brief:
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Develop and present a conceptual narrative and brand response informed by your research of client, Nick Holloway
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Bring together the brand knowledge and the vision of Holloway to present an innovative and responsive way to use social space to propose a design concept vision for their next hospitality venture
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Select an appropriate site for the proposal considering the needs and wants of the client and their customers
Software:
Revit, Enscape, InDesign, Photoshop
Client and star chef, Nick Holloway has mastered his way through the hospitality industry for many years now. His famous restaurant NuNu situated in the beautiful Palm Cove offers a bespoke and laid-back waterfront dining experience. His vision involves offering the purest form of hospitality, generosity and showcasing the best fresh produce through storytelling. His food is an ode to the breathtaking and vibrant land that is Tropical North Queensland.
Seeking a new venture that aligns with his philosophy and vision for the future we have created, NIX Restaurant and Bar. The restaurant’s concept is derived from the ideology of ‘barefoot luxury’ and ‘slow living’. Inspired by a sustainable way of life and mindful consumption, this new restaurant encourages guests to embrace a slower pace of life without harm to the planet. Celebrating produce and surrounding landscapes through delicious creations, this venture aims to provide an unforgettable experience to savour for a lifetime.
The nominated site is located in the nature reserve of Darwin’s East Point. A historical site that is home to Sidney William huts from World War II, these huts were employed in locations across the country for holding thousands of Australian and Allied service men and aircrafts. In 1996, development began and a new restaurant was introduced to East Point, designed to complement the remaining structures and to inflict minimal impact on archaeological elements of the site. The building holds a strong connection to land and sea as it celebrates the surrounding environment and history. Tying into Holloway’s passion for the Australian tropics and sustainable driven venture, this seemed like the perfect fit for NIX Restaurant & Bar.
Similarly to the 1996 development, this re-design aims to breathe new life into the existing site without harm to existing elements and structures. The new NIX Restaurant offers an elevated, relaxing, and luxurious experience for customers with a strong link to indoor-outdoor relationships between the spaces. With materiality embracing existing textures and materials we have added elements that explore sustainability, local sourcing and production including cork, reclaimed timber, and natural stone. The stunning architecture allows for the seamless flow between spaces, towering ceilings and surrounding views with floor to ceiling windows. Upon arrival guests enter the portal-like entrance and are met by the hostess stand beside the main bar.
The restaurant dining makes up most of the next zone which includes a private dining room. Teak dining tables scatter the space and are complemented with beautiful dining chairs upholstered with deep forest green fabric. The pendant lighting throughout the private dining room features ‘The Avion’ by Fritz Hansen linking to the site’s history as they were inspired by Hansen’s childhood fascination with aircrafts. They offer a beautiful ambience and soft glow to the already naturally lit space.
Outside, the veranda wraps the perimeter of the venue showcasing views over the bright and glistening Fannie Bay. The outdoor area offers an outside bar, additional bar seating, dining tables and lounges that surround the stage which is open for live music and events. Being the perfect location for weddings and functions, seating outside on the lawn or cobblestone patio lining the waterfront provide the perfect dining space. The beautiful new NIX Restaurant & Bar is a celebration of local produce and the surrounding Northern Territory landscape while offering a bespoke and luxuriously memorable experience for all guests. It stands a reminder to embrace each moment and to live slowly while at NIX Restaurant & Bar.
