The design concept story for Hunter & Barrel Parramatta begins with the meeting of two worlds: the saltwater of Port Jackson and the freshwater of the Parramatta River. It was from this departure point, that we drew our inspiration for Hunter & Barrel Parramatta. Historically people have had a close connection with the Parramatta River for thousands of years. The wall mural is intentionally placed upside down to make our guests stop and question. Art often asks a question and design is the answer to the question. The mural is conceptually reflected off the parramatta river tying the design into the local surroundings.
The location celebrates the historical significance of the river, which has been a vital source of food, transportation, and cultural practices for thousands of years.
Drawing inspiration from this connection, the design of Hunter & Barrel Parramatta is a modern interpretation of the ancient rituals and raw elements of nature that have defined the hunter’s way. The space is designed to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, with rustic wooden accents, grand stone features, and a wooden barrel bar that pays homage to the history and traditions of the area.
The use of coal fires and an open kitchen adds to the overall experience, creating a unique social dining experience that encourages guests to gather around the roaring fire and celebrate the day’s hunt. The communal feast is at the heart of the experience, and the menu is designed to be shared, with a focus on high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients.
As guests enter the restaurant, they are greeted by the stunning view of the river and the unique design elements that define Hunter & Barrel Parramatta. The space is designed to meld effortlessly, creating a warm and inviting ambiance that celebrates the meeting of two worlds.
Our studio specializes in design for behaviour.
We have done so for almost 30 years and in this time we have learned a tremendous amount about how people behave naturally and instinctively within these social environments. We have learned the hard way that in order to design successful venues, we needed to place predictive human behaviour at the heart of what we do. We capture succinctly how most people behave most of the time in order to design spaces for the most joy and ultimately the most success. This assists us in capturing the spirit of place.