Bluetrain / Studio Equator

Bluetrain / Studio Equator - More Images+ 21

Melbourne, Australia
© Andrew Wuttke

Text description provided by the architects. Celebrating their 20th birthday, BLUETRAIN has discovered a new design direction with Melbourne based designers Studio Equator who have re-created “Melbourne’s Meeting Place.” South Bank is part of the South Gate precinct overlooking Melbourne’s energetic skyline and iconic Yarra River.

© Andrew Wuttke

Defined as the “People’s Café”, Bluetrain’s concept of “Aussie Fusion” cuisine and non-pretentious aesthetic energy create an attractive dining option as well as a casual café environment for new and existing customers. The objective was to “create an emotional connection with our customers by manifesting our core values.” Studio Equator has combined eclectic and quirky materials and bespoke designs to support the core brand message and values and to reflect Australia and Melbourne’s unique sense of style and humour in arguably the best location in Melbourne, surrounded by plenty of foot traffic, theatre-goers, sporting punters, transport savvy Melbournians and the extensions of Port Phillip Bay.

© Andrew Wuttke

The interior design is divided into separate offers in an open plan space. To describe the main dining room, imagine you’ve just walked down the alley of Degrave’s Street, Melbourne, with graffiti art pillars individually painted by well-known street artists, industrial lighting, concrete walls and a fast paced dining experience. Once again, Studio Equator has managed to put their hint of ‘industrial chic’ into their design incorporating a love of art, music, design and culture. Bluetrain has a perfect combination of classy structured architecture with an edgy and approachable atmosphere that encompasses the essence of the brand’s long-standing spirit.

© Andrew Wuttke

Custom designed floor tiling gives subtlety but reflects the triangular geometry that extends from the new logo and brand identity throughout the restaurant including the custom designed steel panelling featured in the sports bar. “Melbourne Soul Food” in yellow, red & blue is painted along the raw wood panelled walls bringing to life Bluetrain’s passion for Jazz and Soul music. This theme then continues further throughout the venue.

© Andrew Wuttke

The function room doesn’t hold back in its class and contemporary glamour. A 15 metre stretched wall is completely covered in reclaimed stencilled vinyl floor tiles positioned geometrically to create a custom feature wall for the elegant functions room. This wall is then completed with 14 custom designed and produced bike wheel lights. The spacing of the bike wheel lights has been positioned to create calculated symmetry of each shadow. The adjacent wall extends from the restaurant and the timber panels double as a canvas for colourful large-scale graphics lit up with black and yellow Jielde lamps.

© Andrew Wuttke

Follow the pipes up the caged stairwell to arrive at the banquet lounge and restrooms. This landing oozes dark glamour. Think 1950’s jazz, velvet boutique chairs, gold & black embellishments, marble basin and antique ‘He and She’ dressing tables with a stunning black mirroring effect that surrounds a 360 degree communal basin. Finished with sophisticated lighting and soulful sounds seeping out from the DJ booth, the banquet lounge allows for privacy, separation and a deep seduction, like you’ve just walked into an underground jazz bar with whiskey in hand.

First Floor Plan

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Project location

Address:Melbourne VIC, Australia

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
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Cite: "Bluetrain / Studio Equator" [Bluetrain / Studio Equator] 11 Nov 2013. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/446726/bluetrain-studio-equator> ISSN 0719-8884

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