Image Credit : Photos © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.
Project Overview
Gumtree Garden pop-up bar took place over 4 nights during November 2013. This very special pop-up was built in less than 48 hours, featuring items sourced on Gumtree in the local Sydney area. Situated in the heart of The Rocks, on Sydney’s oldest cobblestoned lane-way, the pop-up served fine Australian beer and wine and a delicious menu created from the local ingredients.
We created 5 different “sets” inspired by some of key styles available on Gumtree: Palm Springs, Mid Century, Country Kitchen (the bar), Victorian, late 70’s / early 80’s, and of course the outdoor laneway. We sourced a whole bunch of weird and wonderful things – everything you might expect to find in a bar, and some things you might not!
We brought the garden concept to life using some less conventional elements, and really pushing the idea of the “garden” by embracing a fun and playful approach – from the arresting entry wall covered in ivy, to bar-staff head pieces and button holes, and everything else in between. We wanted the idea of the Garden to feel naturally embedded within the space, without resorting to the more obvious references.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Dana Tomic Hughes
Nick Hughes
Therese Moussa
Project Brief
The brief called for a temporary social space that featured items sourced on Gumtree in the local Sydney.
The initial challenge for the design of the Garden was ensuring there was a strong connection and consistent flow through the long lane-way. In our preliminary Gumtree search we identified a huge variety of furniture styles from a number of different eras. We quickly decided it was important to showcase this breadth of product in our Garden.
Project Innovation/Need
All the items in the Garden were sourced in the local Sydney area on Gumtree. Most items were eventually returned back into the community - either by auctioning off for charity or giving away to patrons, placing the items back into the community where they came from.
In addition, some of the suppliers (like the AV & wallpaper installers), and all of the entreatment were also sourced on Gumtree from the local community.
Design Challenge
The pop-up had to be built in less than 48 hours, which required a lot of planning. Bringing the 4 day event to three months of design, documentation and planning, followed by really intense bursts of sourcing and purchasing trips. The design also had to adhere to a strict and fairly limited budget.
Sustainability
All the items in the Garden were sourced in the local Sydney area on Gumtree. Most items were eventually returned back into the community - either by auctioning off for charity or giving away to patrons, placing the items back into the community where they came from.
Installation, Display, Exhibit & Set Design
This award celebrates innovative and creative design for a temporary building, interior, exhibition, fixture or interactive element. Consideration given to materials, finishes, signage and experience.
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