Hunter & Barrel | Parramatta
A Convergence of Two Worlds: The Saltwater and the Fresh.
The Challenge
How do you anchor a modern hospitality brand within a landscape defined by thousands of years of history?
The site for Hunter & Barrel Parramatta sits at a geographical and cultural crossroads: the meeting point of the saltwater of Port Jackson and the freshwater of the Parramatta River. Our challenge was to create a space that didn’t just occupy the riverbank but spoke to it. We needed to translate the ancient rituals of the hunt and the gather into a premium, social dining experience that felt both visceral and sophisticated.
Our Approach
Design as the Answer to the Question.
Our narrative began with the river. We treated the interior as a conceptual reflection of the local surroundings, grounding the brand’s "Hunter" ethos in the specific history of the Parramatta region.
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The Upside-Down Mural: We intentionally inverted the focal wall mural. In design, art asks the question and architecture provides the answer. By placing the mural "upside down," we simulate the reflection of the Parramatta River, forcing guests to pause, engage, and reconsider their perspective of the space.
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Materiality & Ritual: To honour the "Hunter’s Way," we utilised a palette of raw, honest materials. Rustic wooden accents and grand stone features provide a sense of permanence, while the signature wooden barrel bar serves as a physical homage to traditional preservation and craft.
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The Communal Hearth: The layout is centred around the coal fires and an open kitchen. This isn't just a functional choice; it is a social one. By placing the roaring fire at the heart of the restaurant, we encourage the "communal feast"—a modern interpretation of ancient gathering practices.
"Art often asks a question, and design is the answer to the question."
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Envirohacking
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Client : Home - Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group
Location : 2 O'Connell St, Sydney NSW 2000
Area : 830 sqm
Completion Date : Aug, 2024
COOOP.CO Team : Callie van der Merwe, Roberto Zambri, Calvin Janse van Vuuren.
Main Contractor : Franchise Fitout Group (FFG)
Photography : Kera Wong Photography
Videography : Afro-Centric Fine Dining Steak Restaurant | Meat & Wine Co
In The Media :
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Safari Is An African-Inspired Steak Restaurant In Circular Quay | URBAN LIST SYDNEY
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The Meat & Wine Co. brings a new Safari experience to Circular Quay - Travel Weekly
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Safari Restaurant by Meat & Wine Co Has a South African Theme
Awards & Accolades :
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Documentary Human Behaviour, Designing For Dining. A Documentary of COOOP Creatives Philosophy in restaurant Design
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2025 Rethinking The Future Awards Winner Global Design & Architecture Design Award NOMINATION GLOBAL AWARD, Best Leisure Interior Australia
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2025 Asia Pacific Property & Hotel Awards / IPAX Asia Pacific
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2024 FoodInSpace Awards Category Winner Biophilic Design
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2025 Asia Pacific Property & Hotel Awards / IPAX Asia Pacific WINNER Best, Leisure Interior Australia
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2024 FoodInSpace Awards Category Winner Surfaces & Finishes
