pablo & rusty’s / sydney / giant design

The latest addition to the Pablo and Rusty coffee empire spills golden light onto the city street – located in Sydney’s first 6-star green powered building, high-tech is countered by the industrial and authentic vibe of the interior. With high ceilings, timber finishes and exposed brick, it manages to be both grand and familiar. The highlight is the custom-made brass geometric pendant lighting which becomes the glowing focal point of the space. Read an interview with the designers from Giant Design at Yellowtrace.

restaurante pakta / barcelona / el equipo creativo

The unique design of El Equipo Creativo‘s Restaurante Pakta finds its inspiration in a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian traditions. Pakta means union in the Quechua language, and this concept is reflected through the duality of the two main sections of the restaurant. The delicacy of the lines that enlace the ceiling and walls and the Latin American informed use of vibrant colour provides a direct link to traditional Peruvian craftsmanship in fabric-weaving, while the bar area at the front is a clear reference to the austerity of Japanese architectural principles. The linearity of the design creates movement and visual interest within an otherwise small space, and the kitchen is incorporated into the dining experience as a luminous box, where the chefs can seen through glass panels of various opacity.

kaa / são paulo / studio arthur casas

The sleek, refined design of São Paulo’s Kaa transforms the restaurant experience into an urban oasis. Isolated from the city by the lush vertical garden containing over 7000 rainforest plants, the space is finished with hardwood, neutral fabrics and warm lighting to emulate the relaxed sophistication of a hotel lounge. A glass retractable roof allows for control of the elements, while the central water feature creates a serene ambiance.

The pared back design is complemented by the careful use of detail, such as the collection of vintage objects behind the bar. As Arthur Casas has said of his work, ‘It’s not about how much you spend, it’s your capacity to transform a space into something interesting.’ See more at the Cool Hunter and Timeout.