Maedaya Grill & Sake by EAT Architects, The Japanese Restaurant in Australia

Maedaya Grill & Sake sketch design 3

This project is constructed by the EAT Architects. This project name is called Maedaya Grill & Sake, a restaurant based in Victoria, Australia. It’s constructed in 2008. Although this restaurant is based in Australia, this restaurant is offering a Japanese atmosphere. It because the restaurant itself is a Japanese restaurant.

This restaurant project which is Australia based is demonstrated the possibility of using the ordinary recyclable material for hospitality the project itself without compromising the sophistication of the food and service.

Commonly, sake is traditionally package in a ceramic or it is bottled in the wooden casks and secured with ropes. Now the current commercial method of bottling sake is similar to that of red or white wine. Which is commonly available in twist tops. The interest which is can attract the visitor of the restaurant is that the bottling sake which is lies in the bounding of the cask using ropes. The rope that used is the Manila rope which is held in tension at the specific points form a shape of a house or a hut. A house, whether it be a tea house or sake house which exist in the restaurant is a sacred place in traditional Japanese times. It is a place whether people drank in harmony.

A space service grill is founded in the first floor of the restaurant. The essence of the space is in starck contrast with the ground floor. At the first floor the achievement of a sense of humbleness is appearing. It because the restaurant itself which the wall is white washed, the existing Japanese black stained timber flooring, simple timber benches and the raw stainless steel canopies. There is no attempt to apply any embellishment because the cooking is to embody the purpose of this space.

Manila ropes, timber and concrete are the principle materials for this project. The materials itself is able to reflect on the natural element such as vegetation and the earth. This is an intrinsic ideology of the traditional Japanese Culture where the people are seeking a connection with the nature. The screwed Manila ropes is secured into the timber post/logs one end, it slung over a steel rod and held in the tension at the other end through the similar method of the screw fixing. While between the ropes are timber sake lockers whereby patrons can stow their unfinished alcohol for their next visit to the premise.

Every component in the sake lockers is have to be small, whether it is from locks, hinges, LED lighting so the boxes can tuck neatly between the ropes. In order to maintain the profile of the house, ropes have to be spaced wider than what has been installed before. The counter and dwarf wall are made out from the polished spotted gum, specially chosen so that the colors are consistent. The ceiling and walls are finished in black paint to throw the services elements into obscurity.

Fitting out of the embellishment and the services into an old building is a challenge. Several structural limitations due to the poor condition of walls and floors must be encountered.

Architects: EAT Architects
Location: Victoria, Australia
Builder: Crown Shopfittings
Project year: 2008
Photographs: Derek Swalwell

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Maedaya Grill & Sake sketch design 2