Ramen Ya is a casual ‘no frills’ restaurant selling authentic Japanese noodles in the style of a modern Japanese Ramen bar. The owners’ philosophy is to combine fresh and nutritious food in an elegant yet simple setting with value for money.
Following the success of their first outlet, the owners desired their next larger version to be featured more prominently on a main city street. The new eatery is located on Bourke Street within the Paramount Centre. The brief included the fitout of an existing tenancy (previously a bookshop) including a main bar, waiters bar, kitchen and seating area with distinctive feature elements replicable for future roll-outs if desired. The budget was commensurate with the philosophy of the food – ‘value for money’– hence expense had to be allocated smartly & selectively.
In-keeping with the Southern-Japanese influences from which RamenYa’s noodles are inspired, the conceptual idea references traditional Japanese push-cart stalls (‘Yatai’) which are synonymous with pork-bone Ramen. Key visual and emotive characteristics of ‘Yatai’ include bright paper lanterns (which contrast against the night sky -when Yatai are active), use of low-cost natural materials (generally timber) and an intimate &informal dining experience. These same elements are interpreted and exaggerated to suit the scale of the space. Like the Yatai, this eatery presents it’s brand and hero through the use of a strong graphical & organic form. 120 spherical paper lanterns are suspended in a cloud like arrangement achieving a strong visual statement at an extremely low cost. The other graphic element utilised was the use of natural timber –characteristic of the ‘feel-good’ factor of Japanese Yatai. Re-salvaged Messmate is a local timber, economically priced, with beautiful grain & lots of feature. It was utilised to clad the main servery bar & bench and the oversized solid pivot entry door –offering a welcoming ‘natural’ contrast within a ‘glossy’ commercial context.
Site constraints included the awkward configuration of the previous tenancy, with low ceiling levels, carpet & plaster - all of which had to be removed to accommodate an industrial kitchen and restaurant space. Upon removal, a large double height void space was discovered above the suspended ceiling housing unsightly equipment. Although the client didn’t have the budget to relocate, remove, or re-cover them plaster-board it offered an opportunity of gaining additional height which was taken up successfully via the ‘lantern cloud’. The low suspension of the lanterns served many purposes – provided a strong brand statement within a simple device, it visually obscured equipment, it provided a low cost energy efficient lighting solution (compact fluorescent) and added warmth & intimacy within an otherwise cavernous space.
Other cost effective strategies which augmented design intent included a restrained colour and material palette - exposed concrete floors, simple black mosaic tiles were utilised for bar areas and restaurant utensils were used to provide a feature brand specific logo wall (at 2c each!). Off the shelf tables and stools were sourced by the client. The use of a matt black paint finish throughout greatly assisted in heightening the lanterns’ effectiveness (impersonating the black night sky of the Yatai) - whilst itself camouflaging services and providing a feeling of intimacy. Mirror cladding on the end wall opposite the street front window amplified the length and strength of the lantern cloud which when observed from the lower street footpath level, commands attention through its simple sculptural effect.
This interior, sustainable by virtue of its methodology, is simple, honest and cost effective. It provides a point of difference within a context of high gloss shopping, a strong brand statement & embodies the philosophy of its product.