About Habitusliving

 

Habitus is a movement for living in design. We’re an intelligent community of original thinkers in constant search of native uniqueness in our region.

 

From our base in Australia, we strive to capture the best edit, curating the stories behind the stories for authentic and expressive living.

 

Habitusliving.com explores the best residential architecture and design in Australia and Asia Pacific.

 

Learn more

Specialised cafe calls for specialised design

Specialised cafe calls for specialised design

Kettle Black is a light-filled, authentic and handcrafted cafe by a relative newcomer to the Melbourne design scene.

 

“The client brief was very straightforward,” says Hana Hakim, co-director of Melbourne-based design firm Studio You Me, “to create a place that no-one had seen before.”

KB-12-Landscape KB-13-Portrait-LHS

Hakim’s client, Nathan Toleman, had spotted the opportunity for a unique eatery and coffee spot in the underbelly of a newly completed apartment tower – a “precious jewel” located between commercial and residential buildings on Albert Road in South Melbourne.

KB-11-Portrait-RHS KB-11-Portrait-LHS

“The Kettle Black is not a standard café. It sits somewhere between a café and a restaurant, almost creating its own new genre of venue,” continues Hakim who designed the cafe with her Studio You Me co-founder Kestie Lane. “It consists of two distinct eating areas; the light filled voluminous atrium and the heritage terrace house, the more intimate of the café areas.” The two areas are seamlessly linked by the theatrical elegance of the entry foyer, which spills out to the coffee cart and the outdoor seating, uniting the two spaces.

KBStudio-00-Feature KB-14-Portrait-LHS

However, the project wasn’t without its challenges. “We were faced with the challenge of how to transform the somewhat brutal commercial tenancy, with its imposing glass facade, into a delicate and friendly interior.”

KB-13-Portrait-RHS KB-09-Portrait-RHS

In response, the designers collaborated with many artisans, local craftsmen and designers to create a number of bespoke elements and quality details that have transformed the tenancy into a subtle, intimate and beautifully composed space.

KB-10-Landscape KB-05-Landscape KB-07-Landscape

“We also selected and specify sustainable options for finishes and fixtures where possible,” Hakim continues. “We used minimal lighting, re-used existing building components, for example the concrete piping at the water station, and integrated Australian-designed and manufactured furniture.”

KB-09-Portrait-LHS KB-08-Portrait-LHS

Overall, Studio You Me’s interior palette is carefully curated. Warm finishes of soft oak timbers and polished concrete are offset by the playful overlay of green furniture and tiled walls. A harder-edged aesthetic is defined by black crafted steel hanging waiters stations and mesh screens, whilst the hexagonal marble tiles and brass detailing bring a refined elegance and luxurious feel to the space.

KB-03-Landscape KB-02-Landscape KB-04-Landscape

However, what really resonates and comes to the fore in this scheme are the meticulously constructed vignettes within the interior. This is where Studio You Me’s innovative and curated approach to design can be truly admired and appreciated.

KB-06-Portrait-LHS KB-06-Portrait-RHS

Studio You Me
studioyoume.com.au


Author: