Project Overview
'Breadlicious' has embodied the marriage between two dissimilar concepts to create their new branding image. Industrialism has been altered with the pairing of European undertones to create a tenancy that is visually diverse and intriguing. Simple structures and merchandising units have been treated in innovative ways to produce a food retail space that caters for the preference of the local customers whilst staying at the forefront of the design market. A prominent use of construction materials have been implemented throughout each facet, echoing the clean and familiar feeling of the countryside.
Refinement and style is established in the design by introducing boutique features, such as the hanging potted plants and green creepers, set against elegant seating booths . Color application and furniture selection transform a commercial space into an inviting and diverse eatery. All timber cladding has been white washed to brighten and polish the overall atmosphere. To merge the concepts together, L-angle framing at the shopfront and bread units have been coated in a matte black finish as a stark contrast to the lighter tones. The result is a store that correctly balances the rigid association of industrial materials with European characteristics.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Located in Surrey Hills, Rptecture Architects is the culmination of reference point architecture. As an internationally recognised, multi-award winning firm, our design philosophy is simple; to treat each project in a contextual and holistic manner, recognising that no two projects are ever the same.
With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Vincent Choi, founder and director of rptecture architects, has paved the way for new and innovative designs. With a young and talented support team, the firm delivers a personalised and engaging design experience from the conceptual stage through to the construction phase.
Servicing the local neighbourhood areas such as Boroondara, Manningham, Monash and Whitehorse, as well as nation-wide, rptecture architects offers a comprehensive knowledge about retail, residential, commercial and hospitality design. We will work with you to develop a visually stunning and functionally innovative space catered to your individual needs.
Project Brief
The design brief was to generate a holistic dining experience for customers in the shopping centre. The overall atmosphere was to exude a relaxing and inviting bakery with a warehouse impression. To achieve the design intent, the expansive area of the store was highlighted with purple regions. This corporate color acts as a gelling agent, encouraging the eye to identify the space as 'Breadlicious'. Pendant lighting, banquet seating and graphic artwork substantiate the concept to display a consistent language throughout the shop.
Material selection was done with great care and consideration. The majority of materials used are commonly seen throughout construction sites and are associated with rustic and rural concepts. Timber, glass, aluminium, tiles and corrugated panels are heavily employed as the basis to satisfy the brief. Traditional methods of treating the materials have been forgone, and innovative ways have been explored to elicit the charm that is synonymous with European bake houses.
Project Innovation/Need
To offer homage to the industrial age of architecture, prominent elements of that period were translated into 'Breadlicious'. Aluminium framework has been employed to characterise the profusion of iron and steel. This feature is used as a screening solution between seating booths, creating intimate enclosures within the space.
To assist in drawing the eye towards to full height of the space, artificial roof lights have been installed at the ceiling. This feature mimics the presence of natural sunlight, drawing the user experience away from the conventional enclosed shopping experience.
A bold adaptation of the saw tooth roof is symbolised in the layout of the banquet seating. Each unit has been offset against the other to create a tessellated profile, with the bread displays arranged in a similar fashion. Disrupting the parallel nature of typical retail tenancy's, the sharp angles protrude into the sightlines of customers. Additional elements binding the concept are the tufted seating subtly suggesting European undertones. Tile menus are a contemporary method of advertising and introduces a youthful appearance to the brands image. Whilst the elements are reminiscent of an earlier period, they have been treated to create depth and dimension.
Design Challenge
Given the site context, the space is required to be approachable and inviting for a successful business to flourish. To compliment the warehouse notion, soft furnishings, plants and graphics have been utilised to reduce the harshness of construction materials. Unlike the fast paced food outlets available in the food court, Breadlicious strives to offer customers a relaxed atmosphere that is different and unique in its approach. To achieve this, scale has been broken down into differing proportions. A compilation of ceiling heights generates interest and visually diverse spaces. This adjustment of scale assists in offering customers intimate or open spaces. High tables have been paired with a low ceiling to skew the perspective.
To overcome the monotony associated with commercial sized areas, an angled ceiling has been implemented to disrupt the modularity of the tenancy. A variation in height has been used to the advantage of the concept, with higher portions of the shop being clad in corrugated panels. The lower walls within reach of the patrons have been clad in timber, a warmer finish to offset the industrial look of the corrugated material
Sustainability
The choice of materials was with strict consideration to durability, sustainability, recyclable properties and environmental friendliness. It was ensured that the materials the shop fitter sourced from each company had the environmental policies implemented wherever possible. The white-washed timber panels were purchased are from sustainable resources that are from well managed forests which provide significant and measureable ecological and economic benefits to communities.
Melamine particleboard, that has been tested extensively to the Australian and European Union Standards, is used for all cabinets and carcasses. Materials were chosen for their durability and recyclability in mind, with rugged applications of stainless steel which is both long lasting and requires fewer cleaning chemicals. Given the large proportion of timber in the store, it was ensured that all adhesives used throughout the construction of Breadlicious, emit low volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). The paints used on the floor, walls and ceiling are low in VOC’s to improve the air quality and working environment within the store.
Interior Design - Retail
This award celebrates innovative and creative building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes and aesthetic presentation. Consideration given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
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