Cork & Barrel
Role: Principal Creative Director
Challenge: Create a destination gastropub and microbrewery that authentically blended traditional Irish building methods with modern Texas hospitality, while also embedding storytelling and brand identity into the overall experience.
Solution: As Principal Creative Director, I guided the design-build process, collaborating with ownership to shape the architectural vision, material palette, and spatial storytelling. My role expanded beyond design to include developing brand guidelines and crafting the project’s narrative identity.
Impact: The result was a 15,000 sq. ft., $8M destination that attracts 2,000+ weekly visitors, won the Austin Business Journal Real Estate Development Award for Retail Development, and cemented Cork & Barrel as a community landmark. The project also established a long-term partnership, with ownership and RS3 (strategic hospitality group) by continuing to engage me on new sports portfolio design initiatives.
“Working with Ryan was always experiential rather than transactional, an exceptional personality trait which cannot be overstated. His understanding of brand identity proved vital for our new company, and his multimedia experience from film, photography, and web development were additional assets he graciously allowed us to leverage.
Few carry themselves with such a natural governance and quiet strength. Ryan also possesses one of the traits I find most influential in any leader: fearlessness.”
Jay Kudla
Founder & CEO | Northern Ireland Enterprises, LLC
President | RS3 Strategic Hospitality, LLC
Cork & Barrel Showcase Video
*Video courtesy of Cork & Barrel
Cork & Barrel Interior Story Plaques
These plaques were installed to highlight the stories and design decisions behind the special features of the project.
*See photo in gallery below for plaques in context.
Cork & Barrel Brand Guidelines
in partnership with Studio of Austin-American Statesman
Speakeasy
To expand Cork and Barrel’s cocktail program and create a unique experience for loyal patrons, I was tasked with reimagining the wine cave as a hidden speakeasy. I designed four Irish folklore–inspired concepts—Ailbe, Púca, Banshee, and Merrow—each with distinct layouts, materials, and atmospheres.
Alongside the team, I visited local speakeasies and small bars to study how intimate spaces function. We also ran a preliminary test with loyal guests to evaluate seating, bar flow, and cocktail offerings—ensuring the final designs blended storytelling with operational efficiency.
Existing wine cave space
New & Existing (Currently Under Construction)
Cork & Barrel at Crystal Falls Golf Club
The design concept for Cork & Barrel was so successful that RS3, the strategic hospitality arm, has expanded the concept into new territories.
