CHAR CHAR RESTAURANT + BAR
Location: Fremantle, Western Australia
Builder: Rain Projects
Status: Completed 2017
Char Char Restaurant and Bar has occupied a prime position on the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour waterfront for over a decade. Matthew Crawford Architects were involved in the rebranding of Char Char (previously Char Char Bull) and a complete refurbishment of the restaurant and bar. External decking to the south was internalised and unified with the restaurant and its existing expressive timber structure. Sections of building over the water required new foundations on the seabed in the harbour. The interiors were also stripped to create a new commercial kitchen, bar and associated wet areas, and a bold new entry statement was installed.
The introduction of translucent roofing admits natural light while an industrial palette of painted brickwork, polished concrete and dark metal is offset by stone mosaics and touches of brass and perforated metal to create a high-end, modern setting.