Lotus Dining has introduced Fujisaki to the New South Wales, Australia neighborhood of Barangaroo. Design Clarity (with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, and London) conceived the holistic design to reflect principles of authenticity, quality, innovation, and respect.
Spanning three dining spaces, the 146-seat Japanese concept is designed with natural, refined materials like stone and timber to represent contemporary and traditional Japanese culture and culinary language. With backlit, veined natural onyx stone, the kitchen is complete with a robata grill and raw bar, which serves as the centerpiece of the restaurant. Translucent slatelite can be seen in the backlit sake wall behind the cocktail counter, dining room ceilings, and the bespoke wine room. Rich tones of a traditional Japan Blue is applied on walls and ceilings in different textures as a receding backdrop to the architectural elements. Representing the ancient Japanese shou sugi ban technique, a charred timber with a blue-black sheen is a recurring motif behind banquettes, extending to full-height wall cladding along the private dining rooms.
Brass lighting in the private dining room is inspired by Japanese alpine village lights, while a VIP tatami room boasts opulent velvet walls. A wall of mirrors conveys movement akin to the rippling reflecting pools frequently found in Japanese design. Also installed is porcelain artwork from Japanese-Australian artist Keiko Matsui. “We felt Keiko’s artwork connected beautifully with the values of the Fujisaki brand—a fusion of Japanese and Australian influences, both traditional and modern,” says Design Clarity managing director Kristina Hetherington.
