Image Credit : Renee Stamatas
Project Overview
Siren Design were excited to take on a pro bono rooftop project for non-profit organisation YGAP. The Rooftop Bar is situated above the Feast of Merit restaurant where one-hundred percent of profits go directly to supporting YGAP’s movement of impact entrepreneurs who have launched ventures to improve the lives of people living in poverty. The design incorporates the Middle Eastern tone of Feast of Merit’s cuisine, as well as acknowledging the local context of Richmond, Melbourne. This is evident in the Middle Eastern inspired feature screening that is juxtaposed against a recycled piece of MCG fencing embedded into the bar front.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Design Team: Siren Design - Nicole Pollak, Tess Carpenter
Builder: Schiavello Construction
Project Manager: Schiavello Construction
Project Brief
The project brief was to craft an intimate space that pushes sustainability and authenticity to the forefront of the design and the creative process. A modern colour palette of deep greys and black is offset with fresh white. Locally sourced Greenery and festoon lighting has been incorporated to brighten the space. The bar layout is kept open to adapt to additional catering staff for private events, and the selection of limited intimate seating anticipates for larger crowds in summer. Retained sections of the exposed brick walls with different layers of aged paint are contrasted against the addition of sleek matte black bar joinery and panelling, to create a casual yet elegant look and feel.
Project Innovation/Need
The Feast of Merit Rooftop Bar brings a new outcome to the market and particularly Richmond, through its modest and understated design merging existing raw textures with recycled materials, which reflect and share Feast of Merit’s philosophy of sharing and connecting with their local surroundings and community. This new addition to the Richmond context is a differentiation to higher budget fitouts and creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere that nurtures the local community.
Design Challenge
The main design challenge was being able to achieve an intimate and atmospheric open-air space within a tight budget inclusive of donations and volunteers. An abundance of support came through Schiavello’s project management, generous discounts from local furniture suppliers and nurseries, and volunteers donating their time to lend a helping hand. With all of these generous inputs aligning we were able to meet the launch date to have the rooftop start bringing in profits, with one-hundred percent of profits being fed back into YGAP’s work to strive for a world without poverty.
Sustainability
The Feast of Merit restaurant has the simple philosophy of: farm to fork, showcasing locally sourced, sustainable and seasonal produce. The contemporary Middle Eastern menu is designed to honour the sacred concept of community which was important to carry through into the Rooftop design process. The Feast of Merit local story was carried through by sourcing recycled materials such as a piece of MCG fencing salvaged from a Port Melbourne wrecker’s yard. Greenery was selected from local Richmond nursery, Glasshaus, reflected Feast of Merit’s philosophy of sharing and connecting with their local community.
Interior Design - Hospitality
This award celebrates innovative and creative building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes, aesthetic presentation and functionality. Consideration also given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
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