We worked closely with branding agency The Company You Keep to develop and refine the concept for the space. The brief called for a design which pinpointed elements of Melbourne’s best hospitality offerings, and while taking cues from more permanent venues, allowed the flexibility to work as an 8 week pop-up.
The design solution centred around the simplicity of the palette, maximising the use of those materials which required less finishing or fixing in order to exploit construction efficiencies. Timbers are left as boards, not laminated together, and cement sheeting is kept to full sizes where possible. Even the elongated table tops and bench seating dimensions are derived from what could be cut out of whole sheets.
Consequently the space was broken down into more furniture scale objects, allowing flexibility of arrangement as well as ease of transportation and re-use. Ideas of lifecycle are also evident in the use of scaffolding to erect an outdoor enclosure and the construction of the bar, which breaks down into 10 portable pieces. The paired-back outcome gives the adaptability required for a pop-up, as well as providing a platform on which the food and service are given prominence.
The space in furnished with lighting designed by Ambience, planting from Glasshaus Nursery and locally made furniture from Tait and Dowel Jones.
