Set atop Sydney’s newly opened Ace hotel, the Kiln pays homage to the site’s history of Australia’s oldest known kilns and later as a textile factory. Designed by Melbourne-based firm Fiona Lynch Office, the restaurant seeks inspiration from Australian craftsmanship, everything from colours, culture, and visual identity.
The space is distinctive to Ace Sydney, yet it evokes the Australian landscape with its palette of earthy hues and mellow wood-and-leather accents. Located on the 18th floor, the 108-seat restaurant comprises two dining rooms, two bars, a lounge area and two terrace areas with retractable roofs, each with its distinct patina.
The open kitchen and wood-fired hearth complement the interiors, further enhanced by a picturesque background of Surry Hills vistas. Native materials, such as locally sourced stone and natural timbers, enliven the restaurant's rustic aesthetic, illuminated by tailored fixtures.
A similar artisanal approach is seen in the design of the custom-designed textiles, where salvaged materials from the construction site were used to create pigment, which was then hand-painted onto Belgian linen. A unique, custom-printed fabric that covers several walls, window frames, and furniture upholstery, was crafted in collaboration with Spacecraft studio.
The personalised main bar is the focal point of the restaurant, hand-finished in natural brass and accented with stone, chrome, and aluminium design features arranged in tectonic plate-like angles inspired by Isamu Noguchi.
Seamlessly blending organic elements with authentic materials, textures, and finishes, the space instils a sense of warmth while adding a touch of elegance.
