Michael Earle Think Design Magazine, Phuket Feature: John Underwood

MALAGA, SPAIN, August 01, 2011

John Underwood's FUNKY-CHIC and Industrial Designs
John Underwood is a Phuket institution. He has been so well documented and written about here that we, at think design, have resisted the urge to do one more comparative piece on his talents. One day last year, someone even advised me not to do another glory piece on Underwood, this being their business advice for advancing our magazine. Right now, we finally have our perfect opportunity for delving into the talent of john Underwood with the opening of his new brush restaurant in Kalim.

I spent some time there admiring the design of the restaurant as I waited for John Underwood to join me for a chat. As you first approach the building, you are confronted with a melange of styles. In a more minimalist tone, the polished concrete terrace and walls of the terrace area soon give way to the more industrial and design recycled focus of the building itself. The glass of the front façade is rectangular and vertical enough, supported by two big steel columns but through the glass, the organic shapes of the building can already be previewed, making for an interesting framing of the interior between the steel. On the left, as you enter, the azure coulored bar is striking in its use of materials and the way it straddles exterior and interior. Behind the bar, several decorations and recycled pieces of art can be seen, foreshadowing the experience inside.

The building is strikingly experienced immediately from inside as an elliptical tube, turned on its side that you enter from one end. The interior walls are clad in recycled wood, and the irregular shapes of the distinct planks makes for an interesting tapestry. The inside of this two storey space, irregular in shape and angles distorts the senses just enough to keep you aware of further design innovations as you move deeper into the space from front to back. Once you are seated, you find yourself looking back out towards the end from which you entered, with Patong Bay and the horizon in the background. The recycled wood is distinct and different, piece by piece in such a way that your eye follows the contours of the composition. This tapestry of wood as it rises in curved form, even has a distinct finish from smooth to rough, from piece to piece. Below this massive monolithic volume, the benches and seating themselves are created from large sweeping wood forms. As the eye returns to the structure above, one notices that the super structure itself is supported by a series of trusses which themselves are unique in design. Each truss beam is connected by oval-shaped reinforcement, seemingly random but adding a visual clue to the idea of the oval-shaped interior.

Nothing in the restaurant seems off the shelf, every element that can be seen is either recycled or uniquely designed for the space. Inside the main room sits a free-standing structure. Designed as a two storey table, the massive legs draw down to appear to sit gently on the floor, and this element supports the second floor. From there, the feeling of a space within a space can really be experienced. Everything is contained within the elliptical cone but the secondary structure sits within it as though an afterthought to the original structure. From above, standing on the second level, one can imagine this very large table sitting in a room, a large table with its legs only touching the floor below and freestanding from the superstructure above. The decoration of the interior also contributes to the whole experience. There are distinct pieces of art everywhere, behind the curving benches is a large display counter. All these items seem to have also been created from recycled materials that add colour to the ambiance. The seating structures themselves are covered in multi patterned quilts and cloths that are decoratively very strong. While designed with an industrial sense, these benches are also very comfortable and functional. Form follows function indeed. As I spoke with Underwood, I made a mental note to return and quietly study the design further as the level of complexity here requires more than one visit.

Brush has been imagined and designed to be more than just a restaurant. John Underwood also strongly believes in giving back to the community. He has cleverly created free hanging supports for artwork both upstairs and downstairs that will allow for constant exhibitions by local artists and will further add a gallery sense to the already creative spaces. He has also brought in Cassie Harper to create some very beautiful uniforms for the staff, adding to the allure of Brush. This space is one of the most beautiful and creative in Phuket and is certainly worth a visit. Be prepared to explore, at least with the eye as this space will keep your interest long after you have finished the tasty food. http://www.brushphuket.com Words: Michael Earle |ThinkDesign Magazine

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