Bringing Banyan to the North East
Working in collaboration with Arc Inspirations and MDA Architects, Fusion By Design were asked to provide the interior design to assist in expanding the portfolio of the Banyan, Bar and Kitchen brand into the North East.
The Brief
The brief was to take inspiration from the most recent Banyan Bar in Manchester while giving the Newcastle site its own unique, Instagrammable identity. The design expands the colour palette and finishes with bold blues, warm natural oak, copper accents, and botanical prints, complemented by fresh greens and florals for contrasting highlights.
The ground floor bar offers a relaxed, inviting atmosphere, with tan leather benches, booth-style seating, and sharing tables designed for both casual drinks and group gatherings, day or night. Fusion By Design introduced raised areas to break up the space, creating more intimate zones.
The substantial ground floor bar is a standout feature, with a hexagonal timber front and an overhead woven timber raft. These elements draw inspiration from the Banyan Tree—its sprawling roots mirrored in the textures and materials used throughout the space.
The Design
With a £1.4m investment, this iconic Monument Mall site in Newcastle was transformed into a striking two-floor bar and restaurant, complete with a private dining room. A trail of Tom Dixon copper pendant lights guides guests upstairs to the generous first floor, while the stair structure was fully refitted to create a more efficient and natural flow through the space. Oversized bespoke floral wallpaper lines the corridor and sweeps across the ceiling, complementing the adjacent floral-accented bench seating. The ladies’ bathroom features a neon logo framed by tropical planting and a full-length mirror, delivering the perfect selfie moment.
The expansive first-floor bar takes on a more restaurant-style feel, with formal tables and booths ideal for dining at any time, all overlooking the iconic monument below. The centerpiece is a dramatic backlit onyx bar, featuring an illuminated tree structure that extends across the back bar and ceiling, establishing it as a true destination. Continuing the biophilic theme and nodding to the ‘Banyan’ tree, ceiling rafts are adorned with blossoms and wisteria, offering countless Instagram-worthy moments.
In the private dining room, the focal point is a bespoke solid oak dining table with copper butterfly jointing and a flowing wave of blue resin running through its centre, evoking a river winding through the space.
