Project Background
“There are only a few eating spots and they are expensive and dismal, what a shame because there is so much potential there.”
The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust have stressed many times that there is a great need to improve the food and beverage system on Cockatoo Island. There are currently four small existing outlets ranging from cafés to food caravans and bars, most of which have received average to poor reviews by local Sydney siders.
Therefore, Catch Magura is a newly developed restaurant that aims to reconnect, rehabilitate, repurpose and reactivate Cockatoo Island to the rest of Sydney. The concept of how Catch Magura came to be is based on the early settlements on Cockatoo Island. The Aboriginal Eora people utilised the island to hunt and the surrounding waters of the Harbour to fish (many varieties of fish and shellfish including oysters, mussels and cockles). With fish available all year round, there was no need to leave the coast for food. Their main food source was then supplemented by vegetables and grubs that could be found on the island.
Hence, the name Catch Magura essentially means ‘Catch Fish’ where the term magura is translated from the Aboriginal Eora language Dharug Dalang. The restaurant will develop agriculture and aquaculture practices on the island which will most importantly solve the issue of keeping food fresh and of good quality, and reduce the need for transporting food to the island. In addition, these practices will promote sustainable food sourcing in terms of “eat what you grow” and educating visitors/customers by making them conscious and environmentally aware in their dining choices.
Environment/Spatial Design Aspect
Site Location
Adaptive reuse refers to the process of repurposing old sites or buildings for new uses as a way of dealing with issues of conservation and heritage policies. By reusing an existing structure for the restaurant, less energy required to reconstruct the space, as is the material waste that comes from destroying old sites and rebuilding using new materials.
Building 118 was an Electrical Tool shed during the ship building years on Cockatoo Island. Most of what used to be inside the building has been removed and is currently being used as storage space. The building is also planned for demolition by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
Further Development
Vectorwork Renders
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Graphic Design Aspect
Branding & Logo
Logo Specifications | Main font: Carolyna Pro Black | Overlay font: Carolyna Pro, Opacity 15% | Graphic (fish): Opacity 25% | Dark blue: CMYK (85, 50, 0, 0) | Light blue: CMYK (76, 16, 22, 0)
Instruction Graphic
As part of the initial project brief supplied, we are to include an information/instruction graphic for our project, and thus I have chosen to create an instruction graphic outlining how customers can engage with the sustainable farm and dine at Catch Magura:
- COLLECT: Upon arrival at the restaurant, confirm your booking at the front. You will then be given a fishing rod, some bait, and a fishing net.
- CATCH: Catch whatever you want at our aquaculture facility. There will be staff around to assist you if you need any help.
- CHOOSE: Once done, hand your catch to a member of staff and be seated at your table. Decide from a selection of choices on our menu.
- COOK: Our chef will then cook your catch from what you have decided. Also note that any extra ingredients needed are grown on the island.
Nothing is more satisfying than enjoying a delicious meal that you’ve caught, knowing that it is from a sustainable food source!
Business Card
The final business cards are printed onto recycled seeded paper embedded with thyme herb seeds. The reason for this is to further promote and extend towards the customers of Catch Magura, about sustainability and sustainable growing. Customers can take home a business card and plant it in a pot or on the ground and start their own home-grown herb garden. The simple instruction graphic on the back of the card shows them how they can do it. The business cards will be printed by using soy-based inks for a greener option as well as safe to plant and consume.
Menu Design
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The final menu design is a small A5 booklet printed on 300gsm White Recycled Paper from Beer Labels, and bound together by hand using the saddle stitch method.
Advertising Posters
Website Design
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– Ally xx
AMCARMEN'S KITCHEN 