From interiors that echo the serene beauty of the ocean, to pearly white ceramic tiles and coral-like lighting, Gold Coast restaurant Blowfish Ocean Grill + Bar creates an unforgettably immersive dining experience.
Bocci’s jellyfish bloom at Blowfish Ocean Grill
When restaurateurs Steven and Autumn Adams wanted to create a hospitality destination that challenged the status quo, they enlisted the team at Space Cubed Design Studio to transform a vacant, double-story venue into a whimsical dining experience inspired by their seafood-focused menu. Located in the Oracle Boulevard dining precinct in the beachside suburb of Broadbeach on the Gold Coast, Blowfish is the result of a relationship built on brave design decisions and creative thinking.
The impressive double-story venue seats 150 people in a range of dining spaces, from a pre or post-dinner drink at high tables, to an alfresco bite on the terrace amongst tropical plantings, or in the elevated main dining room with its theatrical open kitchen and freshly caught molluscs and crustaceans on display. Upstairs, guests can go on a full culinary journey in the private dining room, its double height void overlooking the main bar and connecting the two spaces.
Photography by Ikapture courtesy of Bocci.
The largest Bocci commission in Australia to date, the cluster of 61 hand-blown Bocci 73 Series glass lights transform the Blowfish Ocean Grill + Bar on the Gold Coast designed by Space Cubed Design Studio. Photography by Harley McNamee courtesy of Bocci.
Detail of the Bocci 73 Series. Photography by Ikapture courtesy of Bocci.
Photography by Ikapture courtesy of Bocci.
‘The interior concept took a romantic approach to the idea that ‘We are all of the sea'... Our decisions were largely inspired by the mythical tales of seductively beautiful creatures that lured mariners with their siren songs, resulting in a serene, yet whimsical dining experience.’
Jill Chilton, Associate Interior Designer, Space Cubed Design Studio
Previously dark and disconnected, the design response opens the venue’s corner façades to the pedestrian laneways, connecting the restaurant to the greater dining precinct. With a focus on creating a space with a ‘powerful feminine energy’, the ground floor channels the ocean shallows, with sun-bleached timbers, sea-green upholstery, brass accents, pearlescent ceramic tiles, and coral-like lighting that clings to the ceiling. The central bar makes a statement in dynamic white and green ‘Afrodite’ marble (aptly named after the Greek Goddess of fertility and love), reminiscent of the Heart Reef in The Whitsundays. While upstairs, the magic of the ocean floor echoes a darker, more seductive space that embraces the colours of the depths, and the qualities of iridescent fish scales. Photographic artworks by Francesca Owen feature throughout the interior, further reinforcing the ethereal nature of the spaces.
To celebrate the unique architectural void over the central bar, the designers selected a set of pendant lights from the 73 Series by Bocci. ‘When guests enter the venue, we want their focus to be drawn first to the stunning bar and then up into the expansive void,’ explains Jill. ‘The idea of a dramatic lighting installation was an immediate ‘yes’ from the clients and when we began the process of searching for the perfect piece, the Bocci 73 Series with its elegant sculptural quality immediately spoke to me.’
The largest Bocci commission in Australia to date, the Canadian multidisciplinary studio is renowned for pushing the boundaries of design through research, experimentation and testing of novel production methods. Allowing materials to respond according to their inherent properties, Bocci unveils the hidden potential within glass, metal, concrete, fire and electricity.
Bringing Bocci, Space Cubed and the onsite fit-out team together to discuss the intricacies of the commission, Space Furniture facilitated a meeting between Canada, the Gold Coast and Brisbane to make sure every detail was clear. ‘Everyone came together with such dedication and enthusiasm to ensure the installation was designed, documented, shipped, delivered and installed on time and without an issue,’ says Deena O’Callaghan, the Design & Atelier Consultant at Space. ‘It’s a tremendous outcome and a majestic moment within the space.’
The cluster of 61 hand-blown glass lights hang at varying heights on individual pieces of sculptural cable. Floating delicately over the central bar and dining space, they appear like a bloom of jellyfish drifting on an imaginary current, providing beautiful ambient illumination, but also visually connecting the ground and upper dining spaces.
‘To witness the installation process you cannot ignore the quality and ingenuity behind this piece. Managing sixty-one hand-blown glass pendants on individual cables while on a scissor-lift is no mean feat, and my hat goes off to our talented installers, the Space team and Bocci for their amazing support.'
Jill Chilton, Associate Interior Designer, Space Cubed Design Studio
Photography by Harley McNamee courtesy of Bocci.
Photography by Harley McNamee courtesy of Bocci.
‘To witness the installation process you cannot ignore the quality and ingenuity behind this piece.' Jill continues. 'Managing sixty-one hand-blown glass pendants on individual cables while on a scissor-lift is no mean feat, and my hat goes off to our talented installers, the Space team and Bocci for their amazing support. I think I can safely speak for both our clients and the studio when I say that the final result has exceeded our expectations. It is a joy to look upon and no doubt it will be a talking point for years to come.'
Bocci is available exclusively in South East Asia from Space – Australia, and Space – Singapore.