Image Credit : e2 and 2bdesigned
Project Overview
Encompassing authenticity, informality and escapism, B’Stilla is Melbourne’s new Moroccan kid on the block. Co-owner and former head chef of Mamasita, Jason Jones focuses on delivering exceptional modern Moroccan cuisine in an honest, humble, affordable and relaxed environment, striking the perfect balance between casual eating and fine dining.
"E2 provided us with a great concept for our restaurant, the feedback that we constantly receive from customers is overwhelming. they really hit the nail on the head and we're extremely pleased with their delivery". Jason Jones, co-owner B'Stilla
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Builder: Marc Macsi, Interface
Interior: Alex Ritchie, e2
Lighting: David Bird and Kire Bogoevski, 2bDesigned
Project Brief
The client wanted an environment that encompassed authenticity, informality and escapism. Reflective in the concept, the result was the delivery of a space that is humble, affordable and relaxed with natural ambience that encourages fun conversations and connections. There are three individual, but visually connected areas to the restaurant with each dining space maintaining its own unique ambience – Courtyard, Night Market and Oasis.
Working closely with the Client, a dramatic lighting concept was developed that features deep shadows in the evening, and captures the playful daytime light. In the Night Market area, slashes of light creates an illusion of light penetrating through a pergola. In the Courtyard zone, linear lighting illuminates the front back to highlight the mosaic tiling. In the Oasis area, lighting splashes across the slatted wall, with sculptural pendant lighting highlighting the communal table. This further enhances the restaurant experience with a menu that is shared by friends.
In the daytime, the lattice cut steel captures the daytime sunlight which is cast throughout the space. This effect captures the essence of being immersed in the tight market spaces of Morocco.
Project Need
With a focus on great food, quality produce and minimising their environmental impact, this restaurant has brought new life to the once quiet Bray Street location. At all stages of the project the team at B’Stilla worked closely with our design team to ensure the best results in keeping with their initial design brief. With such attention to detail and by creating a network of brand champions with their local suppliers, we have created a restaurant with a strong and warm social vibe with a loyal following. The restaurant takes patrons on a palate pleasing and visual journey through a country steeped in rich culture; whilst delivering a modern dining experience reflective of the visionary team behind B’Stilla.
With glowing reviews on foodie websites and blogs, B’Stilla has successfully created a restaurant that has been embraced by diners for it’s honest and creative dishes and warm authentic design. It has struck the right balance between casual eating and fine dining, allowing all group sizes and customers are able to feel comfortable within the space and to have fun, make noise, relax and enjoy themselves completely while in the space.
Design Challenge
Working with the concept of creating an authentic Moroccan restaurant that didn’t appear themed; the resulting identity was bold and earthy, featuring the national colour of bright red combined with softer natural tones inspired by the spices and ingredients used in Moroccan cuisine and the heritage of the country.
A big challenge was that the site had the bar and kitchen areas from the previous tenants. E2 had to design around these existing areas to produce a different effect from the last restaurant and. As previously mentioned, the timings were incredibly tight, giving us only two months to turn a design around in order to have the restaurant opened for Summer.
Sustainability.
The build was carbon off set and calculated all resources required to produce the final restaurant design – B’Stilla will be Australia’s first restaurant to undergo a carbon audit. Building materials used were recyclable where possible, and all waste was re-used or recycled for use in other building sites.
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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