Baker Bleu Cremorne
Connoisseurs might describe a perfect pastry or superlative sourdough as art forms in their own right. The new flagship home of Baker Bleu agrees – the design by IF Architecture calls to mind something between a gallery and a designer boutique.
Elevating the intricately layered pastries, exquisite bejewelled tarts and textural brutalist loaves into precious objects, the new bakery in Melbourne’s inner south-east takes the art of pastry and sourdough seriously, within a design that balances artisanal tactility with industrial precision.
Stepping into the bakery, the eye is instantly drawn to the baked goods on display at the far end of the store. Moving towards the counter, Baker Bleu merch, condiments, snacks and drinks are thoughtfully arranged for languid perusal – at a large central table or on easy-to-access shelving. Pastry in hand, one might perch at the espresso bench on the nearby aluminium partition, tuck themselves into banquette seating or find a sunny spot under the window.
This entire flow feels effortless despite the atypical and relatively small floor area, which is essentially a square with one corner cut off. The solid side and rear wall are utilised for the L-shaped joinery housing the display shelves, while the glazed walls – creating a sense of lightness that balances the industrial materiality – have been employed for the takeaway coffee window and casual seating zone. Every element works hard without feeling forced; each design move makes the most of the available spatial opportunities, easily guiding patrons through the sequence of queuing, ordering, waiting and then partaking.
At first glance, the materiality is what captures attention, but the palette is more nuanced than it initially seems. Recycled aluminium – its texture inspired by sourdough alveoli – lines the walls and ceiling and is employed to sculptural effect in the curved partition that snakes through the interior, delineating the display area from the dine-in space. The recycled material reflects a commitment to minimising waste, quietly speaking to the Baker Bleu ethos. Aluminium also covers the monolithic point-of-sale counter, which holds an inset glass display case and forms the exceptionally fine shelves on which rows of bread are beguilingly presented. The aluminium’s hue is complemented by the grey terrazzo flooring that stretches underfoot, anchoring the space and enriching the industrial yet high-end aesthetic.
While the raw, solid quality of the aluminium predominates, at key touchpoints, a softer palette comes into play. The dining tables, stools and large central display table are crafted from American oak, the upholstery pads finished in an invitingly supple cream leather, and there’s a softness to the aluminium’s silvery sheen. Cleverly, the material palette and neutral hues serve as a natural foil to the signature Baker Bleu Yves Klein blue branding.
