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Client: Madam Fu
Project Type: Full Restaurant
Status: Completed(2019)
Location: Capri on Via Roma, QLD
Builder: Open Projects Group
Brief
The brief for Madam Fu was to create a restaurant interior that blended the atmospheric feeling of an old Asian back street with a refined, contemporary dining experience. The client wanted a space that felt moody, textural, and full of character—echoing weathered timber façades, pop-out windows, and lantern-lit alleyways—while still delivering an elevated environment suitable for premium food and cocktails.
The design needed to balance rustic authenticity with modern comfort, create memorable dining zones, support efficient service flow, and bring a strong, story-driven identity to the Capri on Via Roma precinct. The result was envisioned as an immersive, transportive venue with both charm and sophistication.
Design Intent
The design of Madam Fu aimed to transport guests into the atmospheric back streets of an old Asian town—where aged timber facades, weathered surfaces, and lantern-lit alleys created a sense of discovery. The concept blended this rustic street-market charm with a refined, contemporary dining environment that aligned with Madam Fu’s elevated food and cocktail offering. The space was designed to feel moody, layered, and textural, capturing the spirit of old-world Asia while delivering a polished, modern hospitality experience.
Project Background & Objectives
The project objectives for Madam Fu were to capture the atmosphere of an old Asian back street through rustic textures, layered façades, and architectural details, while blending these elements with a refined, contemporary dining and cocktail experience.
- Capture the atmosphere of an old Asian back street with rustic textures and architectural details.
- Blend historic, textural elements with a refined, contemporary dining and cocktail experience.
- Create immersive, layered dining zones that feel intimate yet dynamic.
- Maximise operational efficiency for both front-of-house and back-of-house workflows.
- Ensure comfort, circulation, and flexibility for different dining and bar experiences.
- Deliver a memorable, story-driven guest experience that encourages repeat visitation.
- Reflect Madam Fu’s brand identity through design, lighting, and materiality.
Design Intent Studio provided full documentation across all stages, from initial design brief through to final construction drawings.
Scope of Works
- Interior design concept and full documentation for the restaurant tenancy
- Spatial planning for entry sequence, laneway-inspired dining zones, bar, and service areas
- Design of key features including the bar, open kitchen elements, pop-out window moments, screens, and textured wall treatments
- Development of a material palette referencing aged timber, stone, plaster, metals, and handcrafted Asian motifs
- Comprehensive lighting design including moody ambient light, feature fixtures, warm window glows, and task lighting
- FF&E selection with focus on rustic textures, bespoke joinery, and contemporary refinement
- Coordination with external consultants including kitchen, services, acoustics, and compliance
- Documentation suitable for tender and construction
- Ongoing site design support and review
Design Approach
The design approach for Madam Fu focused on storytelling, evoking the energy of an old Asian back street and hawker-style markets. Pop-out windows and façade details were used to create the feeling of bustling street stalls, while the interior opened into a spacious dining area with large, sculptural light features and hanging lanterns that provided warmth and drama.
Key Design Features & Material Strategy
Barfront & Walls
Product: Brittons Timber – Hardwood Recycled Timber,wire brushed and clear coated
Installed on the barfront and selected wall areas to introduce warmth, texture, and a reclaimed character that evokes authenticity and craftsmanship.
Bartop, Barfront & detailing
Product: Brittons Timber – Hardwood Timber Tasmanian Oak
Used for the bartop, barfront accents, and wall beading to provide a polished, durable surface with natural timber grain, enhancing the tactile and visual quality of the bar area.
New Steel Columns
Product: Vulcan Steel, raw with beeswax coating or to match existing on site
Fabricated to suit structural requirements, these columns provide both support and a subtle industrial detail that complements the overall interior aesthetic.
Authentic Tiled Roof Feature
Product: Boral Roof Tiles- Macquarie, Gunmetal
Installed as the roof awning to provide an authentic decorative feature that reflects the Hawker style concept
Additional Notes
Over the years we have conducted 3 design upgrades to the space as well as work on additional projects with our wonderful clients.
Design documentation included full drawing sets, FF&E schedules, and coordination with consultants as defined in the agreed scope. Intellectual property retained by Design Intent Studio.
