Papi Chulo

Project: Papi Chulo

Client: Merivale Group

Location: Sydney

Opened: 2013

Brief: An American beach house vibe with pops of Cuba.

Highlights: A trip to Havana inspired the palette, with white, timber, exposed brick and checkerboard tiles and a Cuban feel to the bistro chairs. We envisioned the venue to be viewed as an eclectic collection of rooms that have been interconnected. The different zones within the restaurant were defined by the diverse types of finishes, joinery and furniture internally, and windows and lighting externally. Much to my delight, a lot of the furniture and joinery was custom-made for the space, including custom American oak joinery and tables, frosted glass shades for the light fittings, white timber paneling, and Havana-inspired stools. The two bars are demarcated by different materials, one in timber and copper and the other in solid, green marble.