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HOSPITALITY

Restaurant of the Year

ISHIZUKA BY RUSSELL & GEORGE

Jurors were drawn to the experiential

nature of the 16-seat restaurant, as well as

to the designers’ dedication to intricate

details and the impact of the subterra-

nean location – ‘a hidden gem’, according

to Norden. ‘It brings together nature and

culture in an unconventional way,’ said

Peter Ippolito of Ippolito Fleitz Group.

‘The restaurant creates a new experience,

with food at the centre of the design.’

Aware that a stereotypical Japanese

aesthetic might not suit the Australian

market, Russell & George appropriated the

traditional elements of a Japanese eatery,

weaving them into a sophisticated scheme.

Ippolito pointed out the ‘poetic translation

of the lantern into a beautiful screen’, calling

Ishizuka a ‘surprising space that doesn’t

conform to stereotypes’. – LT

russellandgeorge.com

PEOPLE'S VOTE

El Califa by Esrawe Studio

MELBOURNE – The word kaiseki describes

both a traditional Japanese dinner composed

of multiple courses and the delicate col-

lection of skills and techniques required to

prepare such meals. This double meaning

inspired Russell & George in its design of

Ishizuka, a Japanese restaurant in Melbourne

that celebrates the curation and artistry

involved in crafting beautiful food. The jury

was quick to declare the project Restaurant

of the Year, with Tina Norden of Conran and

Partners calling the decision a ‘no-brainer’.

‘The restaurant creates a new experience,’

said jury member Peter Ippolito, ‘with food

at the centre of the design.’

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FRAME AWARDS 2019 101