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      Tutu lights populate Montreal's Cafe Constance by Atelier Zébulon Perron

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      Pink pendant lights resembling dancers’ skirts hang from the ceiling of this cafe by Atelier Zébulon Perron at a Montreal ballet school.

      Cafe Constance is located in the downtown Wilder Building, home to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and named in tribute one of the organisation’s former leaders, Constance Pathy.
      Cafe Constance was designed as a theatrical experience within the contemporary building’s lobbyThe 1,400-square-foot (130-square-metre) space occupies the contemporary building’s lobby. It is used both for social gatherings for the artists and employees, and as a reception venue during and after functions or performances.
      “Maintaining apropos ambiances through the space’s transitions from coffee shop by day, to more cocktail-oriented functions in the evening influenced Atelier Zébulon Perron’s design philosophy,” said the design studio in a statement.
      A canopy above the bar and pendant lights help to create a more intimate scale”But the main focus was on creating something truly warm and whimsical in the heart of a contemporary institutional building,” the team added.

      In contrast to the large expanses of glazing and concrete finishes of the building, Atelier Zébulon Perron opted for rich materials like walnut, velvet and brass. Wooden screens wrap the cafe, partially shielding it from view while creating intrigue for patrons and passersby.
      Wooden screens wrap the seating area to create intrigue”We adopted a theatrical approach in order to build a sort of spectacle that is really quite literal,” said studio founder Zébulon Perron.
      “The idea was to create something that seems completely out of place, and that captivates the imagination in a strange and wonderful way,” he said.
      Materials like walnut and brass were chosen to contrast the concrete interiorA canopy above the bar area helps to bring the tall ceilings down to a more human scale.
      Similarly, a series of pleated pendants are gracefully suspended from thin wires above the seating area, at a height that helps create a more intimate setting.

      Atelier Zébulon Perron designs “sensual” bar and restaurant at Montreal’s Four Seasons hotel

      These custom-designed lamps, each a slightly different shape, are made from the same blush-toned crinoline fabric as a dancer’s tutu.
      Floral-patterned wallpaper, upholstery and carpets, as well as golden lamps topped with tasseled shades, create the impression of a staged scene from another era.
      Details like wallpaper, upholstery and lighting add drama to the space”The tongue-in-cheek approach to Cafe Constance aimed at creating a fun and fantastical space within the more austere backdrop of the building’s contemporary architecture,” Perron said.
      “That play on contrasts extends to the design within the space as well, with hints of Victorian elements and boudoir intimacy animated by intricate colours, patterns and light fixtures.”
      Lamps were custom designed from crinoline fabric used to make tutusThe designer founded the eponymous interiors studio in 2008, and has also completed a restaurant at Montreal’s Four Seasons hotel.
      Other recently completed hospitality interiors in the city include the plant- and mirror-filled Tiramisu by Menard Dworkind, and La Firme’s bright and airy Melk Cafe.
      The photography is by Alex Lesage.

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      Projekt Praga incorporates mid-century references into Polish dumpling restaurant

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      Polish architecture firm Projekt Praga has blended modern and mid-century features inside the Syrena Irena bistro in Warsaw, which serves traditional pierogi dumplings.

      Syrena Irena is located in an early 1950s building in the centre of the city that originally functioned as a hotel cafe.
      Syrena Irena is a pierogi restaurant in WarsawAside from handmade boiled pierogi, the restaurant’s “cheerful and honest” menu contains classic Polish dishes from the 50s and 60s such as sour rye soup and herring in flax and hemp oil, which have been updated for modern tastes.
      To add to the homely and casual atmosphere, Projekt Praga created an interior with a self-service set-up that uses mid-century design references to pay homage to both the building’s architecture and the bistro’s nostalgic menu.
      Wooden stools by Buck Studio surround the restaurant’s tablesThese include terrazzo-style tabletops, mosaic tiles, neon signs, milky glass sconces from Polish lighting brand Aqform and wooden stools with triangular seats by Wroclaw-based Buck Studio.

      In particular, Projekt Praga said it chose details, shapes and materials associated with the “prudent design” of Poland’s communist era.
      Spherical glass sconces by Aqform decorate the wallsThe terrazzo-style tabletops with their simple black bases were custom made, as were most of the metal elements in the space.
      Bar counters were powder-coated in bold colours to complement the building’s original 1950s wall mouldings and arches.
      The interior’s colour scheme mixes blue and coral tonesA large window at the front of the restaurant allows passersby to observe the chefs at work – kneading, stuffing and folding the pierogi.
      In the afternoon, sun shines through the windows and illuminates the dining room, while neon lights bring the space to life in the evening.

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      The colour scheme mixes aquatic blue with pink, peach and coral tones in line with the restaurant’s mermaid-themed branding, which was developed by Polish graphic design agency Mamastudio and illustrator Ola Sadownik.
      Both this and the restaurant’s name, Syrena Irena, are a nod to Syrenka Warszawska – the mermaid that acts as a symbol for the city of Warsaw and can be found in its coat of arms, as well as on monuments and buildings throughout the capital.
      Black tables with terrazzo-style tops were custom made for the space”The alternating personality of Syrena Irena gave us a chance to use geometrical forms and colours,” explained Projekt Praga.
      “The classical aesthetic of the existing space was balanced by less profound features like wall drawings, railings imitating a mermaid scale pattern and distinctive neon signs,” the studio added.
      “Despite this duality in the bistro’s persona, varied details like neon signs, lettering and murals all come together harmoniously.”
      A monochrome rendition of a Herbert James Draper painting decorates the wallsAt Mamastudio’s suggestion, Projekt Praga used a monochrome print of Ulysses and the Sirens – an oil painting created by English artist Herbert James Draper in 1909 – to cover two of the walls.
      The restaurant’s illuminated signeage was designed in collaboration with local artisan Jacek Hanak, who is responsible for reviving many of the city’s old neon lights.
      Neon signs were made in collaboration with Jacek Hanak. Photo is by Zuza Kozerska”We were influenced by the aesthetics of the jazzy Warsaw of the 1960s when this part of town was a vibrant destination for night owls and barflies,” said Mamastudio of the restaurant’s branding.
      “There were bright neon signs, music was everywhere, colourful artsy types and thrilling energy. With that, we decided that the mermaid logo should bear resemblance to a retro cut-out. The typography is expressive and slightly clumsy on purpose.”
      Other dumpling restaurants featured on Dezeen include a bao restaurant in Valencia that was designed to resemble a sunset and a small Chinese eatery in New York, where stainless steel, brass and polycarbonate are combined to create a futuristic interior.
      The photography is by PION studio unless otherwise stated.

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      Luchetti Krelle creates eclectic bar Jane inside former butcher shop

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      Seventies decor, French bistros and indigenous flowers are some of the references design studio Luchetti Krelle has mixed inside this bar in Sydney, Australia, which occupies a converted butcher.

      Serving local wines and small plates, Jane is meant to be the more casual counterpart to Arthur – a nearby restaurant offering only five-course tasting menus.
      The bar retains the butcher’s original facadeBoth venues are run by chef Tristan Rosier and are named after his late grandparents.
      The building now housing Jane originally served as a butcher but was subsequently reincarnated as various eateries, which made it in desperate need of a revamp, according to Luchetti Krelle.
      A cosy group seating area was created by the entranceThe studio made some minor tweaks to the building’s tiled facade, restoring the brass framework and replacing its tinted windows and door panes with clear glass to allow passersby to look inside.

      A section of the butcher’s original gold-leaf signage was also carefully preserved.
      The seating area features a marble table and vintage chandelierThe interior’s 70-square-metre footprint only allowed Luchetti Krelle to make minimal structural alterations.
      A cosy dining area fit for eight guests was created beside the entrance, featuring a curved seating booth and a Rosso Levanto marble table with a built-in Lazy Susan. Overhead dangles a vintage chandelier, its ornate design reflected in the mirror-clad walls.
      Natural red fibres were sprayed across the ceilingA banquette runs the length of the bar on the right-hand side, its backrest upholstered in caramel-coloured corduroy as a subtle tribute to the 70s-style interiors found in the former home of Rosier’s grandparents.
      The banquette is accompanied by a series of bespoke wooden tables with slanted corners so that even when the bar is busy and guests are in closer proximity, they can’t bump into any sharp corners.

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      On the opposite side of the room is a brass-edged drinks bar finished with a Carrara marble countertop.
      High stools upholstered in butter-yellow leather stand in front of the bar, framed by a tiled floral splashback that’s meant to be loosely reminiscent of a Parisian bistro floor.
      A corduroy banquette nods to the 70sPrior to Luchetti Krelle’s intervention, the interior featured a “cold” black-and-white paint scheme. So the studio was keen to introduce some bolder colours – particularly those synonymous with the Australian bush.
      The existing concrete floor was coated in eucalyptus-green paint while the ceiling was finished with a natural red fibre that’s similar in hue to the indigenous Waratah flower.
      Just beneath the ceiling is a sequence of custom shelves, just high enough to fit a typical wine bottle.
      Brass ribboning runs around the base and countertop of the barCorduroy seating and Rosso Levanto tables were installed in Jane’s narrower rear dining room to create an aesthetic connection to the rest of the bar.
      From here, diners can access the bar’s private courtyard and the toilets, which take over the butcher’s former salting room.
      A new skylight brings light to the windowless dining area at the rearThis space was previously accessed via a short flight of steps. But the floor was raised to meet the level of the front room and further enhance the sense of continuity.
      A new skylight and glazed panel in the back door help illuminate the space, while a false ceiling was knocked through to make the walls appear taller.
      This room was also fitted with corduroy-lined furnitureLuchetti Krelle was established in 2008 and is led by Rachel Luchetti and Stuart Krell.
      Jane joins a multitude of bars and restaurants in Sydney, which is known for its vibrant dining scene.
      Other examples include moody gin bar Four Pillars Laboratory and Glorietta, an airy Italian restaurant decked out with timber and rattan furnishings.
      The photography is by Anson Smart.

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      Frank Architecture recalls 1960s glamour at Major Tom bar in Calgary

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      Rich colours and leather upholstery feature in this Calgary bar and restaurant that Canadian studio Frank Architecture based on author Truman Capote.

      Major Tom is located on the 40th floor of Stephen Avenue Place in Downtown Calgary, affording it panoramic views of the city, the Canadian prairies and the Rocky Mountains beyond.
      The bar counter at Major Tom in Calgary is inlaid with marbled stoneLocal firm Frank Architecture used design details influenced by the 1960s for the interiors, with American novelist Truman Capote also acting as a muse.
      “Known for his biting humour, quick wit, deep insights, and ability to party harder than anyone else; [Capote] was a gourmand, a bon vivant, a savant, and he captured the voice of the era perfectly,” said the studio. “Major Tom is at once elevated and approachable, playful and at ease, confident and gracious.”
      The lounge area is decorated with dark grey and russet tonesWith the views taking a prominent role, the approach to the interior design is sophisticated and restrained.

      Facing the windows, the bar counter front is inlaid with strips of marbled stone. Behind, thin gridded shelving stores and subtly illuminates the liquor bottles.
      Leather chairs accompany dining tablesAlong the glazed facade stretches a black tufted leather bench, which sits low to avoid obstructing the view.
      Two-top stone tables and rust-coloured armchairs follow the bench parallel to the bar, leading to a lounge area with dark grey and russet decor.

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      “The lounge is sexy and mysterious,” said Frank Architecture. “Plush bespoke seating, rich tones, warm leathers, and dark wood lure you in for cocktails and conversations.”
      On the other side of the bar, dining space for larger parties features leather chairs paired with wood-topped tables.
      A library wall displays books and small objects in softly lit alcovesA library wall at the back displays assorted books and objects within softly lit alcoves.
      The cast concrete ceilings of the 1970s tower are left exposed, with amber-toned mirrors and cove lighting installed within the raised trays.
      Guests enjoy views of the city from the 40th floorLow lighting, bold artworks and dark colours throughout all add to a mood and atmosphere that evokes the glamour of the 1960s.
      Frank Architecture is based in Calgary, and also designed the interiors for Japanese noodle bar Lonely Mouth in the city.
      The photography is by Chris Amat.

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      Clap Studio creates sunset experience inside Valencia's Baovan restaurant

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      A half-moon-shaped screen is programmed to mimic the changing colours of a sunset in this bao restaurant in Valencia, Spain, designed by local interiors firm Clap Studio.

      The eatery is set in a modernist building in Valencia’s Ruzafa neighbourhood and marks the first permanent outpost of Baovan – a local food truck delivering steamed Chinese bao buns, which started up during the coronavirus pandemic.
      Green ropes hang from the ceiling of Baovan’s porchBaovan asked Clap Studio to create an interior for the restaurant that channels the company’s motto of beers, beach and baos.
      “Our goal was to transport the user to a beach, from where to watch the sunset and enjoy some handmade baos,” Clap Studio director Angela Montagud told Dezeen. “So we created a whole experience around it.”
      “The shape of the space was a challenge, as we were faced with a narrow, elongated floor plan with no natural light,” she added.

      Curved fabric panels on the restaurant’s ceiling resemble cloudsIn a bid to turn the restaurant’s lack of daylight into a positive feature, Clap Studio designed an immersive interior that makes visitors feel as if they have stumbled across a secret beach.
      “In this way, it would invite the user to enter and discover the interior,” Montagud said.
      A half-moon-shaped lighting panel mimics the colours of the sunsetDiners enter the restaurant through a porch, where deep green ropes hang from the ceiling like vines in a forest.
      Inside, the interior was designed to evoke a beach with one side finished in a sandy peach colour and the other in deep ocean blue. Wavy textile panels form rolling clouds overhead that filter the light.

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      The centrepiece of the room is a half-moon-shaped lighting panel that was programmed by local creative studio Vitamin to recreate the changing colours of a sunset over the time it takes for the restaurant to complete its dinner service.
      “The interior shows a constant duality of colours that takes us in and out of the water,” Montagud explained.
      “On the ceiling, we recreate a blanket of clouds that brings a magical atmosphere to the interior, reflecting the lights of the sunset that is in constant movement.”
      The private dining area can seat up to ten peopleA private dining area at the rear of the floor plan can seat up to ten people and was designed to create the impression of eating by moonlight.
      Circular and crescent motifs that reference the shape of bao buns are repeated throughout the space from the lighting installation to the chairs, which were designed exclusively for the restaurant by Clap Studio.
      Other projects by the Valencian practice include a playful children’s shoe shop and a fashion store-cum-cafe in Hong Kong with stacked terracotta display plinths and celestial aluminium partitions.
      The photography is by Daniel Rueda.

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      Nate Berkus designs panoramic sunset bar for luxury cruise ship

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      Celebrity Cruises has tapped several well-known designers for the interiors on board its newest vessel, which include a sunset lounge by Nate Berkus and bedroom suites by Kelly Hoppen.

      The Celebrity Beyond, which completed its maiden voyage around Western Europe this spring, is the third in the Miami-based company’s Edge series of cruise ships.
      Spaces unique to this 1,073-foot (327-metre) vessel include a larger, updated version of the outdoor Sunset Bar, which enjoys almost 360-degree views from an upper deck at the back of the ship.
      Spaces unique to the Celebrity Beyond ship include the Sunset Bar designed by Nate BerkusHere, American interior designer Nate Berkus aimed to create a laid-back atmosphere for guests wishing to enjoy cocktails after spending the day at the pool.
      “I’m always inspired by my own travels and in this case, it’s the international beach clubs I’ve been to in places like Mexico, or Europe,” he told Dezeen. “They always feel so effortlessly chic, and casual. The opposite of fussy.”

      The main entrance to the bar is through a plant-covered pergola that frames the gently sloping walkway leading down to the deck.

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      This curves around a series of seating niches and planters before reaching the covered area where drinks are served.
      An arched colonnade and patterned floor tiles give the bar a Mediterranean feel, which is continued to the outdoor seating through custom Kravet fabrics based on Ancient Greek motifs.
      “We also incorporated timeless materials like terracotta, bronze, brass and wood,” Berkus said.
      Kelly Hoppen is behind many of the ship’s interiors, including the suites and stateroomsThe Celebrity Beyond joins the Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex in this class of vessel, which first launched in 2019, and is the largest of the three – accommodating up to 3,260 guests.
      The trio share many of the same design elements, including the 1,646 bedroom suites and staterooms by British designer Kelly Hoppen that feature neutral decor with red and orange accents.
      Hoppen also designed the ship’s rooftop garden, its spa and The Retreat – an exclusive section for suite guests that includes private spaces like a lounge, a sundeck and a restaurant called Luminae.
      Other spaces by Hoppen include The Retreat, an exclusive area that includes a private pool deck”The Retreat deck and resort deck have been designed in a way to allow for a multifunctional space, by creating private pods and moments alongside the busier areas, allowing all to enjoy,” Hoppen told Dezeen.
      Another of the ship’s features is the Magic Carpet: a deck cantilevered from the side of the ship that travels up and down at different times of the day.
      A bright orange structure supports a bar and lounge, where guests can take in uninterrupted ocean vistas.
      Like other ships in the Celebrity Edge series, the Beyond features a moving cantilevered deck known as the Magic CarpetAmong the other spaces to eat and drink on board are Eden, which has a garden-themed design by Patricia Urquiola, and the World Class Bar with its dark beige and brass decor.
      Le Voyage restaurant offers a menu created by chef Daniel Boulud, while the Grand Plaza at the heart of the ship serves martinis beneath a giant light sculpture programmed to sync with the music.
      British architect Tom Wright, best-known for designing the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, was the principal architect for the ship.
      The World Class Bar is among the places to enjoy cocktails on boardCelebrity Cruises frequently taps well-known designers like Berkus and Hoppen in a bid to attract younger generations to luxury cruising.
      “We really wanted to embrace the challenge of getting the younger demographic onto these glorious ships along while not isolating the older generation and current clientele,” said Hoppen.
      “With that in mind, we have made sure that we have given a fresh feel to the accommodation while keeping the key elements the same but with a modern twist.”
      Signature restaurants include Le Voyage, with a menu by chef Daniel BouludIn a similar move to entice Millennial and Gen Z cruisers with A-list designers, Virgin Voyages’s first ship features suites by Tom Dixon, while its crew wears uniforms by Gareth Pugh.
      The Celebrity Cruises fleet also includes the Celebrity Flora, which sails the Galápagos Islands and was designed by BG Studio and has a reptilian theme.
      The cruise industry was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, but has bounced back following strict vaccination and testing policies.

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      Omar Gandhi designs a “light-filled wood cathedral” for Toronto restaurant

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      Canadian studio Omar Gandhi Architect has created a vaulted-wood interior inside a non-descript brick building for chef Matty Matheson’s restaurant in Toronto.

      Prime Seafood Palace is located in West Queen West and was a collaborative effort between Omar Gandhi Architect (OGA) and the restaurant’s chef, Matheson, who has developed an internet following.
      OGA designed a restaurant in the West Queen West neighbourhood of TorontoThe space was imagined as “a light-filled wood cathedral, lining an otherwise inconspicuous existing brick-clad building that blends into the city’s urban fabric,” the studio said.
      “I think that all of us brought different ideas to the table, but for our design team we wanted the space to be a surprise inside of a fairly unassuming new urban building on a very busy street,” Omar Gandhi, principal of OGA, told Dezeen.
      The restaurant has vaulted wooden ceilingsThe primary entrance to the restaurant is separated from the street by a courtyard next to the adjacent building. The facade of the building – an earlier brick building, similar to many others in that area of Toronto – was painted white.

      OGA placed a vaulted wood structure within the brick envelope so that the main dining room of the restaurant nests within. In order to achieve this, the architects suspended the wooden vault from the ceiling.
      Natural leather was used for the upholsteryThe principal goal was to create a “timeless space, free of trends, with local, natural materials that develop a patina and continue to enrich the restaurant over time,” said OGA.
      “Designing with wood and light was the starting point for the design,” the studio added.
      Brass detailing was used throughout the main dining roomThe vaulted room hosts the main dining room, where the white maple louvres that make up the ceiling extend over the windows.
      Here, OGA upholstered the booths that line the space with natural leather, based on ones used in Matheson’s grandfather’s restaurant on Prince Edward Island, the Blue Goose.
      Above the space, a “wood-clad cloud” runs the length of the peak of the vault and filters natural light from a skylight in the roof of the exterior envelope.
      The bar is covered by a wooden canopyNear the servers’ station is an accessible restroom with concrete walls, which has a double-height volume that allows the space to be lit by a skylight above.
      In this restroom, a custom concrete sink by Brandon Gore was cast in the shape of Canada’s Lake Erie, with a brass marker indicating the location of Matheson’s Ontario farm.
      The wood extends into the open kitchenMore louvres form the railing that separates the different sections of the main dining room, which feature brass detailing and lamps.
      A full bar covered by a cantilevered wood canopy stretches the length of the space, while a passage next to the bar leads into a private dining room.

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      At the end of the bar is the elevated slope that leads to an open concept kitchen.
      The restaurant also has a secondary dining space in the backroom, which has slightly different detailing – such as a wood-burning stove and wooden walls – that makes it “reminiscent of Ontario’s cabin country,” according to the designers.
      The backroom opens up onto the courtyardThis dining area also has glass doors on one side that lead out into the courtyard.
      Throughout the restaurant, OGA worked with Coolican & Company to conceive custom furniture both for the kitchen and the dining space. A standout feature was the inclusion of drawers in the booths that hold the restaurant’s custom knife sets.
      The custom tables have drawers for steak knivesOmar Gandhi Architects is based in Novia Scotia. Other projects include a home near Lake Ontario with a winding wood staircase as well as a cedar-clad home in Halifax.
      The photography is by Adrian Ozimek and Doublespace. 
      Project credits:
      Design team: Omar Gandhi, Stephanie Hosein, Jeff Walker, John Gray Thompson, Chad Jamieson, LaurenMcCrimmon, Kris MacDonald, Liam ThornewellRestaurant team: Matty Matheson, Gary Quinto, Coulson Armstrong, and Our House Hospitality CompanyPhysical model: Mary MaStructural: Diomis EngineeringMechanical & electrical: Spline GroupCode: LMDG Building Code Consultants Ltd.Lighting controls & dimming: OneLXCustom furniture: Coolican & CompanyMillworker (primary): Canara Woodworking Inc.Additional millwork: CNC Cung Inc.Custom concrete sinks: Brandon Gore (Hard Goods)Custom booth pendants: Concord Custom LightingCustom signage: Filo TimoArt: Darby MilbraithSpecialty paint finish: Handsome PaintersUniforms: Rosa RugosaContractor: Mazenga Building Group (primary), Bootstrap Design/BuildManufacturers/Suppliers: Moncer (engineered hardwood flooring), Baro Klaus (selected furniture & specialty lighting), Stone Tile (tile), KOL (fiber cement cladding), Vaughan Electrical Supply (lighting), Nella (equipment), Stovemaster (brick hearth), MBH (Steel/glass doors), Sørensen Leather

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      Mim Design conceives Melbourne's Au79 cafe as “greenhouse sanctuary”

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      Australian studio Mim Design has demarcated the Au79 cafe and bar in Melbourne’s Chadstone shopping centre from the surrounding stores using an arched framework instead of solid walls.

      Set in a corridor between shopfronts, Au79 was designed as a “greenhouse sanctuary” that could offer shoppers a slice of serenity and respite within the bustling retail complex.
      Melbourne’s Au79 cafe is set in a corridor between shopfrontsMim Design, which was also responsible for creating Au79’s first outpost in the nearby city of Abbotsford, wanted the space to fit into its surroundings while also bearing resemblance to the company’s original cafe.
      The Chadstone mall has a vaulted glass ceiling, which the studio decided to mirror by encasing the cafe in an arched framework topped with a gridded metal canopy and cascading plants.
      One side of the pill-shaped plan is taken over by a cafeThis frame surrounds a pill-shaped plan, which is divided into two distinct zones by a central servery.

      On one side is a neutral-toned cafe and on the other a bar organised around a curved counter made of figured stone and flanked by brass-edged display cabinets.
      The other side houses a bar”The cafe addresses the main retail thoroughfare while the bar offers a more intimate and exclusive experience facing the luxury retailers,” said Kieren Guerrero, Mim Design’s lead designer on the project.
      “The resulting open floor plate sensitively maintains visibility across the cafe to the shopfronts beyond while the arched outlines produce a theatrical colonnade effect and subtle sense of privacy.”
      Huge spherical pendants hang along the centreThe sense of formality and grandeur created by the framework is enhanced by the overall symmetry of the space.
      A row of huge custom-made spherical pendant lights is hung along the length of the plan, fitting neatly into the central arches.

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      “At night, we wanted to create the atmosphere of sitting under the glow of the moon,” said Guerrero. “The gentle illumination allows the space to transition and hold presence from day to night, bringing a new dimension to Au79’s organic forms and natural materials.”
      Mim Design employed a tonal palette of brick, terrazzo, natural leather and stone within the interior. Brass details, lush scalloped profiles and tactile finishes echo Au79’s Abbotsford cafe.
      Banquette seating runs along the perimeter of the cafeFixed banquette seating runs along the perimeter of the cafe to maintain a sense of spaciousness while seating as many people as possible.
      Loose furniture settings enable flexibility and moveable joinery on the cafe’s frontage allows the space to transform in order to accommodate different events.
      Tiles and terrazzo are contrasted against flesh-coloured leather”The project crafts a textural, gilded oasis in the Chadstone shopping complex,” said Miriam Fanning, founder and principal of Mim Design.
      “We sought to create a destination that redefined the expectation of what a kiosk is, a place considered to be built form that held ideas of permanence and presence.”
      Other projects by the Melbourne studio include a delicatessen with a counter that looks like sliced salami and an office filled with perforated metal screens.
      The photography is by Timothy Kaye.

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