Image Credit : All photography by Peter Clarke Photography.
Project Overview
The kiosk sitting centre stage in the lobby of Lendlease’s newest Melbourne Quarter Tower – Sargon sits like a jewel. The structure enveloped in a harmonious blend of metallic, translucent, and natural materials creates an elegant sculptural centrepiece within the voluminous lobby of the MQT. The lustrous surfaces evoke a sense of lightness, while the interplay of glow and texture seamlessly reflects the lobby’s refined, organic materiality and design.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Christina Kotsiris Architecture
Team
Christina Kotsiris - Project Architect / Design Lead
Lucho Ibaceta - Design Team
Project Brief
The brief required the kiosk tenancy to function as a stand-alone retail café, offering express service to both occupants and lobby patrons. It was important that the design integrate seamlessly within the lobby space, allowing fluid movement whilst also creating gathering opportunities for patrons, without disrupting the typical day-to-day traffic flow.
Drawing inspiration from the organic forms of the voluminous lobby, with its soaring 8-meter-high ceilings, the kiosk had to establish its own presence both structurally and materially while remaining in harmony with its surroundings. Rather than replicating the timber finishes of the lobby, we introduced a contrasting material palette of lustrous, reflective surfaces, enhancing the sense of lightness of the kiosk’s jewel-like presence.
A carefully curated interplay of glow and texture echoes the lobby’s refined, organic aesthetic. Whilst the planning of the elliptical geometry of the counter serves both as a welcoming functional servery and a subtle partition, offering patrons a degree of privacy while accommodating various seating options, from low to high counter seating.
Project Innovation/Need
Reflective materials, soft pink tones introduce a sense of whimsy and uniqueness, fostering a warm and playful atmosphere. Through this interplay of finishes, Sargon masterfully balances warm and cool elements, allowing each to stand out in harmony.
Thoughtfully crafted with clean, curved forms and exquisite stonework, the design evokes both familiarity and refined simplicity. The minimalist aesthetic is further enhanced by a custom-designed lighting pole that seamlessly conceals the supporting structure, creating a glow beneath the softly illuminated elliptical crown.
These distinctive design features redefine the concept of a lobby café, offering a refreshing and sophisticated alternative, elevating the architectural experience.
Design Challenge
It was important the design integrate seamlessly within the lobby space, allowing fluid movement whilst also creating gathering opportunities for patrons, without disrupting the typical day to day traffic flow.
Close collaboration between the designer, client, and the Lendlease team was key in navigating budget constraints and lead time challenges, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, timeless design.
Sustainability
Sargon is seamlessly integrated within Melbourne Quarter Tower, Lendlease’s new development targeting a 6 Star Green Star – Design & As Built Rating, reinforcing its commitment to world-class sustainability.
The project's sustainability strategy prioritises areas where it can have the most significant impact—delivering low-carbon, resilient, and enduring designs that promote long-term environmental benefits.
Low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints were carefully specified to improve indoor air quality and reduce environmental impact.
Energy-efficient LED lighting, equipped with sensors, timers, and smart control systems, replaces traditional metal halide or fluorescent alternatives.
All furniture elements are locally designed and crafted in Melbourne, supporting the local economy while minimising transportation-related carbon emissions.
Interior Design - Hospitality - Casual
This award celebrates innovative and creative building interiors where people eat and drink - this includes bars, restaurants, cafes and clubs. Judging consideration is 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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