Award of Merit:

Russell & George for Yakimono

Russell & George was created through the merger of the multi award winning businesses of Ryan Russell and Byron George Architects. The goal of the practice is to create design solutions that extend thresholds and blur the line between different fields of design practice. This creates a dialogue between people and the places they inhabit and engage with. In this way interiors become urban design schemes, industrial design works become art pieces, and architecture can become as singular and functional as industrial design pieces. We treat every space as a unique opportunity to reveal the hidden personalities and goals of our clients and/or their businesses. This is a fairly eclectic and sometimes difficult approach but it is one that constantly reinvigorates and reinvents our design view and process. Both directors are heavily involved in design advocacy and work with design and architecture bodies both in Australia and around the world, including a recent invitation to be keynote speakers at the Malaysian Interior Design Conference.

About the Project

Good restaurants are places that take you somewhere else. Places where you go on a journey to a somewhere you haven’t been; places where you suspend disbelief. This is really the fundamental driver of any good restaurant design, to create a series of spaces that support the experience of a great restaurant operator. They are also places that speak about our culture, and of dining together. Melbourne is one of the worlds great cosmopolitan dining cities. Its restaurants are diverse and varied. Yakimono is one of the latest venues that represents that great dining culture. 

Situated in the 80 Collins Street redevelopment, Yakimono spans three levels and 590 square metres. It’s designed to reference rain drenched Tokyo streets, and the vibrancy and energy of that great capital. From the electric and vibrant entrance Yakimono is clearly designed to take you somewhere else. Your sense of disbelief is suspended from the moment you enter the restaurant on the ground floor, from it’s provocative and LED and neon lit entrance to the assault of sound and light. This restaurant is all about energy. 

Ascending the stairs you are transformed into another world, a neon lit immersive space with a large central kitchen, smoking grills and perimeter seating in the style of a traditional izakaya. But this is not a traditional Japanese restaurant. The style and approach is uniquely Australian. Use of dichroic film to external glazing and the main circulation stair creates an environment that changes as you move around. Large circular pendant lights appear to change colour depending on your vantage point within the restaurant, as they are reflected in the dichroic film. 

Use of traditional Japanese timber, proportion and pine sit in contrast to the reflective ceilings in patterned polished stainless steel. Hidden sound attenuation and a nightclub grade sound system add to the energy and vibrancy of this restaurant. Sitting at the bar becomes a transformational experience. 

The upper level is the bar, and booth seating modelled on Japanese train seating. The experience on this level has a different kind of energy, but reflects the same unique Australian take on a Japanese experience. 

All furniture in the restaurant is locally made, seating was designed by Ross Didier for JRF. Tables and integrated furniture was designed by the architect, in line with the overall concept. As a result, the space is completely immersive. 

From an operational point of view, the service model and staff flow was as important as the customer experience. The design of this restaurant seamlessly integrates form and function, providing a seamless experience for the patron.

Category: Place

Designers and Project Team:
Byron George, Director
Ryan Russell, Director
Caitlin Ripper, Associate
Rimgaile Fletcher, Designer