Jury comment
Viet Next Door represents a pinnacle of artisanal crafting and an instance where a great deal of thought has clearly been invested in every detail. It is an impressive and strangely atmospheric interior for all its simplicity. All elements of the interior have been crafted from scratch and exist in delicate suspension with each other, even down to the alignment of the flex and the tension wire supporting the handmade light fittings. Adelaide has a long history of excellent Vietnamese food and this family-owned business has been taken in a unique and thoughtful direction by its interior. This space is something of a departure from the usual run of family-owned restaurants – it is a place where every detail has been considered and executed in an extremely disciplined way, while remaining highly inventive, playful and rich in attention to detail.
Design statement
The brief was to create a Vietnamese tapas bar for the owner and chef Ben Phan to express his creative culinary energy while paying resects to his traditionally trained background. The inspiration was drawn from his family’s humble beginnings in Vietnam, where simple materials were used in practical details. The space needed to reflect new energy, culinary maturity and familiarity all at the same time to create cultural connection. The flamed tiled granite floor and walls melt into the split face bar top, adding consistent imperfections and creating rustic minimalism. The entry is surrounded by simple blushed persimmon upholstered bench seats and granite tables. Oak- strapped walls with inlaid woven grass wallpaper sit above the booth areas, with the shaped upholstered seating that blends into the oak joinery providing contrast to the granite. Locally made tables use the traditional artisan craft of eggshell mosaic.
Viet Next Door
73a Addision Road
Pennington SA 5013
vietnextdoor.com
Genesin Studio
Level 9, 25 Franklin Street
Adelaide SA 5000
+61 8 7009 4631
genesin.com.au
See the whole gallery of images at the Eat Drink Design Awards website.
The 2017 Eat Drink Design Awards are organized by Architecture Media and AGM Publishing and supported by principal partner Taubmans; major partners Planned Cover and Shadowfax Wines; and supporting partners Tait, Stellar Works, Map, Schiavello, Laminex and Latitude.
Thanks also to our event partners Sample, Four Pillars Gin and Sanpellegrino.
The Eat Drink Design Awards are endorsed by the Australian Institute of Architects and the Design Institute of Australia.
