Inspiration
Hospitality

Blending Heritage and Modernity - Song Bird

Hospitality |

With its striking interior and carefully curated elements, Song Bird is a welcome new addition to the Double Bay hospitality landscape. Balancing the vibrancy of the cuisine with the serenity of the surrounding views, the new venue is a testament to the power of thoughtful design.

The interior design of Song Bird, Neil Perry’s latest Cantonese culinary gem, showcases a seamless collaboration between ACME and Caon Design Office.

Situated across three levels of Double Bay’s iconic Gaden House, David Caon and ACME carefully curated Song Bird’s aesthetic to merge the preservation of Neville Gruzman’s original architectural details with innovative themes that embody the essence of contemporary dining. Song Bird offers an upscale culinary experience that blends the delicate flavours of Cantonese cuisine with chef Neil Perry’s signature modern Australian influence.

Founded by David Caon, Caon Design Office is a Sydney-based studio renowned for its refined approach to industrial and interior design. With a background in aviation, luxury, and hospitality projects, Caon brings a meticulous eye for detail and functionality to every space he designs. His collaboration on Song Bird reflects his commitment to thoughtful materiality and timeless design, with the Stellar Works Pagoda chair playing a pivotal role in shaping the restaurant’s aesthetic and guest experience.

On arrival to the recently opened restaurant, guests enter the venue through the main Cooper Street entrance, greeted by the striking original spiral staircase—a key feature that serves as the spine of the venue’s design. Before reaching the staircase, visitors are offered a unique view into the Song Bird kitchen, revealed through an opening that showcases the culinary heart of the venue.

Pagoda Chair by Stellar Works

Central to Song Bird’s design is the integration of thoughtful furniture elements. One most notable is the Pagoda chair designed by BassamFellows for Stellarworks, which has been used throughout the space. As David Caon recalls, “I first became aware of the Pagoda chair when Craig and Scott from BassamFellows visited our studio for an informal conversation a few years ago and introduced us to the piece. I was immediately struck by the exceptional quality of its construction and, in particular, its thoughtful design approach tailored for hospitality. The chair is light and comfortable, making it both practical and easily manoeuvrable. Its balanced aesthetic—harmonising character with simplicity—made it clear to me that it was only a matter of time before I found the right project for this piece.”

Shop Pagoda →

The Stellar Works Pagoda chair exemplifies the art of simplicity through its supremely light and compact form. Reduced to its essence, the chair consists of only six pieces, a design choice that showcases meticulous craftsmanship and efficiency while allowing for diverse material configurations. Its circular seat reflects rationality in design and symbolises the concept of "oneness" in Chinese culture, encapsulating the philosophy of harmony with nature. Meanwhile, the cantilevered arms and back subtly echo the gates of traditional pagodas, lending the chair its distinctive character. This clever design eliminates the need for separate arm and armless versions, seamlessly combining practicality with personality.

From the outset, the Pagoda chair was front of mind for the Song Bird design. “It resonated with the character of the existing building and aligned beautifully with the design concept we were beginning to shape,” explained Caon. The Pagoda chair plays a central role across all three levels of the restaurant, particularly in the ground-floor dining room, where it defines the guest experience and strengthens the connection with the street frontage. “The chair has become a vital element of the project’s design language, performing exceptionally well for both the client and their customers,” Caon noted.

Beyond its furniture selection, Song Bird’s materiality evokes warmth and richness. A bespoke fluted timber panel system, finished with a deep red stain, is a prominent feature throughout the venue. Inspired by the spice and heat of Asian cuisine, this detail adds inviting texture while harmonising with the geometric external fins of the building’s façade. Marble and granite, layered across workstations, bars, bathrooms, and the lift core, provide durable surfaces and introduce subtle green and gold tones that evoke the Orient without being overtly thematic.

One of the most captivating aspects of Song Bird’s design is the reinstatement of Gruzman’s original ceiling—a grid of lightwells lit from above. Restored and recreated where necessary, this ceiling casts a warm glow that zones dining spaces while establishing a visual connection to the street through the glass façade. This represents a forward-thinking approach that contrasts yet complements Gruzman’s preserved architectural elements. By intertwining Gruzman’s timeless architectural elements with contemporary materials and standout furniture, ACME and Caon Design Office have crafted a dining experience that honours the past while embracing the future.

^{Design by: ACME & Caon Design}
^{Photography: Lillie Thompson}