The General Assembly

by Six Degrees Architects

A modern-day Church for Beer located alongside the South Wharf of the Yarra River in Melbourne.

Design challenge of this project by Six Degrees Architects was to convert a vast cavernous space; lined with plasterboard and pictures of climate change skeptic Lord Monckton, into a warm and inviting space, which would successfully trade through the cold winter months along with the warmer period of the year also.

A palette of warm plywoods and mirrors, with copper and marble detailing to the bar to provide intimacy was created throughout.

The high-level ceiling was blacked out to help control the perceived height of the space, focusing activity at the patron level. Large copper duo tanks with exposed beer piped were prominently located in the air to celebrate the delivery and consumption of beer.

A Hagia Sophia inspired steel chandelier was hung from the roof further helping to animate the large space. Only on closer inspection does the punter realise that the light pendants are frosted Carlton Cold bottles putting an otherwise unpopular beer to good use.

Other adornments, such as a projection of Notre Dame’s famous circular window as well as strips of red velvet, have an air of church and confession about them creating the ambient vibe of a Church for Beer.

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