Project Overview

East meets west, past meets present – Australian-German firm LAVA has just completed a new Japanese restaurant, KY-OTO, in Sydney’s hip and happening Chippendale precinct. The traditional Kyoto eatery was interpreted as a fusion of traditional and contemporary elements. LAVA combines traditional solid timber logs with CNC cut backlit Perspex screens, 100 year old brick walls with contemporary designer bamboo lights, and a heritage 19th century courtyard with digitally printed graffiti.
Completed in less than four weeks from brief to completion, the KY-OTO project continues LAVA’s work of bridging East and West, past and present, crossing boundaries, to create a lively experience.

Project Commissioner

Green Cliff

Project Creator

LAVA Laboratory for Visionary Architecture

Project Brief

East meets west, past meets present – Australian-German firm LAVA has just completed a new Japanese restaurant, KY-OTO, in Sydney’s hip and happening Chippendale precinct. The traditional Kyoto eatery was interpreted as a fusion of traditional and contemporary elements. LAVA combines traditional solid timber logs with CNC cut backlit Perspex screens, 100 year old brick walls with contemporary designer bamboo lights, and a heritage 19th century courtyard with digitally printed graffiti.
Designed with the enchanting laneways of Kyoto in mind, the spatial journey of KY-OTO starts from a small entry pavilion lined in plywood shelves and back-lit Shaoji paper screens, through to a red-columned dining room referencing Kyoto’s famed Fushimi Inari Shrine. It opens into a courtyard under lanterns by Arik Levy for Forestier with living bamboo in planters and Australian-made recycled timber furniture. Striking geisha wall painting by local graffiti artist Scott Marsh complete the fit out.
Back inside, the kitchen if framed with a modern interpretation of classical Japanese screens and features the contemporary tiles that emulate traditional Japanese brick patters. And, as with old Japanese shop houses, ceramic pots line the shelves.

Project Innovation/Need

Located in “Spice Alley”, KY-OTO is the first small restaurant to be opened in Kensington Street, Chippendale – an addition to the laneway’s fusion of different countries, experiences, and tastes. The project of KY-OTO shines light to the possibilities of combining the old with the new, and east with west, to showcase Sydney’s incredible culturally-diverse food culture. From design considerations, spatial experience, through to every detail and material selection of the design, KY-OTO transports its customers from Sydney’s bustling City centre to an intimate and authentic Japanese dining experience.

Design Challenge

Designed for visionary developer Dr Stanely Quek, Chairman of Frasers Property Australia, he gave LAVA a challenge to do something special through the fusion of old and new elements. From the project site’s existing 100 year old brick walls and a heritage 19 century courtyard – the transformation of KY-OTO had to draw inspiration from the cultural and spiritual charms of Kyoto, offering its customers an authentic Japanese dining experience. LAVA was also given a very tight timeline. Completed in just less than four weeks from brief to completion, LAVA successfully transforms the Japanese eatery into a spatial atmosphere that evokes the spirit of Kyoto’s enchanting laneways.

Sustainability

LAVA sourced all of KY-OTO’s furniture locally in Australia, and they are constructed from recycled timber. LAVA selected a minimal and environmentally-conscious material palette, comprising of primarily timber and accenting with bamboo planters and Japanese Shaoji paper inspired screens – this enabled the project to be cost-effective, time-efficient, and all at the same time environmentally-responsible.