Main Dining
Golden Century Group has been an award winning and institution of
Chinese dining in Sydney, and its latest addition is The Century
located at The Star, Sydney.
Paring Onions is responsible for the full design and branding of the restaurant, from interiors to branding, graphics including logo design, menu, wine list, signages, business cards, and staff uniforms.
The interior concept playfully incorporates symbolisms of Chinese culinary culture with a modern twist. It is critical to keep the Golden Century’s unique history and culture in mind, but also an opportunity to introduce a refreshing side of the group, inspired by a creative take on
Chinese dining customs.
The Restaurant consists of main dining, semi private rooms, VIP rooms and sun-room dining. The design has playfully utilize commonly seen elements in a Chinese Restaurant and rejuxtapose into a contemporary and sophisticated restaurant space.
Fish Tanks
The signature fish tanks of Golden Century have inspired a completely
new design being showcased at the entry of The Century. The fifteen individual aquarium tanks have been made with double glazed,
toughened glass to ensure the best possible insulation and durability.
The frameless construction aims to maximize translucency and visibility between the entry reception and the main dining room. Raised platform integrates an intricate water filtering system also creates a stage that offers an unobstructed view of the tanks for the diners in the main dining room.
The design has not only enhanced its aesthetic forms, but by working
with the owner and aquarium specialist, Paring Onions has given birth to a self-contained, easy maintenance, and interchangeable fish tanks ‘modular’ system, making this originally technically challenged design
possible.
An area of the restaurant dedicated and affectionately named as the
Sun Room, is an enclosed area with full height glazing and ample
natural light to create a perfect area for lunch by day and twilight by
dinner. The hanging light features again are key to creating an eye
catching, intimate dining area. The Sunrooms are also available for
reservations for private functions.
Tea Cups
The lighting feature seen across the back wall of the semi-private
rooms is made up of tea cups hanging by fibre optics to create a design feature again pays its tribute to symbols of Chinese Cuisine. The use of lighting in the semi-private rooms creates a surreal ambience and environment for a different dining experience.
Semi Private
Genuine and natural solid American Oak blocks were used for the construction of the 4 semiprivate rooms to accentuate the authenticity of this featured space, stimulating the texture and scent of American Oak Barrels, renowned for the best barrels used during the wine fermentation process. The same theme and use of American Oak is featured across different parts of the restaurant with the wine room and bar area.
Chopsticks
The use of chopsticks was first recorded and dated back to 1766. It’s
simplicity, practicality, and elegance has lasted all these years, without any need of ‘improvements’, truly an example of a timeless piece of good design. The interiors of The Century features a Great Wall of Chopsticks to pay its respect to this imperative Chinese dining utensil, Paring Onions designed a series of handmade wall tiles compiled by 82,320 chopsticks, creating a unique wall surface and
subtle texture that gave characters and dynamic to The Century.