Heritage Through Harmony
“The menu inspired the material palette, focusing on those that spoke to charcoal, fire, and flowing rivers. This vision comes to life through the intricate interplay of the Shou Sugi Ban wall cladding, river rock inspired tile for the fireplace, and black and white variegated countertops at the bar,” says Heylen Thienes of Tricorn Black interior design studio.
A “modern cowboy” tavern with a rock and roll vibe, the Hawkeye, Huckleberry Lounge in Bend, Oregon is a ranch to plate restaurant the features a stage, onsite butcher shop, and canvas tent seating, all meant to embody Oregon’s great outdoors and act as an homage to the area’s storied ranching heritage.
“The restaurant’s renovation was driven by a desire to create an experience that resonates with both seasoned locals and newcomers alike,” says Thienes. “Rooted in a profound appreciation for Oregon’s ranching and foraging heritage, the interior design unfolds as a love letter to the region’s cultural tapestry.”
To assist in consummating the connection between the restaurant, its surroundings, and its patrons, three biophilic substrates were sourced from the Pioneer Millworks collection to be assimilated into the lounge’s design.
“For the last 10 years there has been such an influx of new people to the area that we wanted to make sure that whatever material that we used, or however we designed the restaurant, it would not just speak to new people, but to people that have grown up in Central Oregon. We really wanted to honor that history.”
The inclusion of historically relevant yet quirky touches like cowboy hats, rustic signs, and animal skulls combined with classic guitars, thematically appropriate movie posters, and a performing stage, offer an immersive and unique experience.
Highlighting these design elements is Pioneer Millworks Larch White, Larch Carbon, and Accoya® Deep Char, Shou Sugi Ban. These specialized finishes were brought to the design not only because of their ability to seamlessly connect the lounge’s idiosyncratic aesthetic, but because of their long-term durability.
“The concept was keeping it very central Oregon focused and thinking about it being a steakhouse,” says Thienes. “One of the conversations we had included themes of being over the fire, charcoal, and immediately in my mind I thought ‘that’s a product (Accoya® Deep Char) that we have to use’. “We wanted to use a company that was Oregon based and also use materials that would speak to central Oregon. We incorporated Accoya on the exterior. We used three different types of Shou Sugi Ban on the whole project. Camping, roasting marshmallows, and ending up with charcoal on your pants, … nostalgia and presenting it to people in the way that’s palpable. We used the white larch in the vestibule, and against the fireplace to create some contrast and a little bit of depth. We didn’t want it to look like we took one material and plastered it everywhere.”
The collaboration of contrasts resonates throughout the lounge between the rich wall cladding and the gentle dusk of the rice paper lighting orbs. There is also the play of full-sized birch logs which frame the stage area and coordinate with the white larch wall in the Hawk musical lounge.
“The whole concept was inside, outside, and being in the woods. It’s like going for walks in the forest and seeing the remains of wildfires and all of the different tones of the wood. I wanted to bring that in a little bit. I acknowledged the beauty in that with a tangible concept.”
By bringing outdoor elements into the indoor space, the design expresses the desired connection to nature, as well as a historic nod to Oregon’s past. The space also emits a vibe that’s rooted in sustainability through its responsibility sourced timber.
“If you use the appropriate materials for the job, that is going to be sustainable,” says Thienes. “If you stay away from trends and you use something that really speaks to the concept of the design you’re working in, it’s going to have longevity. Even if after we’re done and if people get sick of Shou Sugi Ban, the material is still going to speak really well in the restaurant because it’s a steakhouse and things are going to be cooked over a fire, so it makes sense. That’s how I approach sustainability, by always making sure we are using the appropriate material, something that’s going to speak to the user, the client, and their lifestyle so we can ensure that it will last for a long time.”
