Concentrated Immersion – Budapest Café by Biasol

Inspired by a Wes Anderson-esque saturation and play on contrast, Budapest Café becomes an interplay of abstract forms. Biasol takes influence from a love of modern art and iconic cinematography to conjure a place of concentrated immersion, one intended to take its visitors on a journey.

Destination creation is a feat equally challenging and interesting, and while connecting to context and a respectful capture of the experience of place is important, any new insertion needs to also offer a level of appropriateness in embodying an element of difference. Budapest Café takes references from an exotic locality beyond its Melbourne CBD location and in the process brings together a geometric expression of form and an immersive experience of saturated colour that mimics a more far-flung destination. Through contrast and a celebration of its features, a balanced coming together of earthy tones accentuates stepped wall features, while curved arches and plush seating welcome guests to engage. Biasol uses the volume of the space as an encasing opportunity to create the studio’s own interpretation of modern art, inspired by the filmmaker Wes Anderson.

The exploration of colour while all from a similar tonality, creates both subtle and contrasting elements that fill the space, while also ensuring a gallery-like feeling.

Known for a unique style and use of colour in the creation of beautiful and engaging scenes, Anderson’s work is underpinned by an active animation. All surfaces are treated with a similar rigour, enticing a feeling that differentiates from the familiar and instead aims to heighten the experience through the unexpected. In such a saturated hospitality market, ensuring a specialised offering aims to propose a sense of identity for the space and ensure the visit remains memorable. The exploration of colour within a similar tonality allows both subtle and contrasting elements to fill the space, while also creating a gallery-like feel. The concept is the natural evolution from its predecessor, the Budapest Café in Chengdu also by Biasol, and sees a carry on of key successful space-creating elements.

Arches help break up the mass and create focal points that lead the eye through a journey internally. Custom seating follows similar lines and allows a flexibility of group gatherings, while the stepped geometries on the wall indicate at the presence of a stair although one does not actually exist. The space is one that is minimised to ensure a greater impact and through a concentrated slightness that feeling is created through intimacy. Beige tones sit alongside blush and terracotta elements, while muted timber furniture and rounded lighting softens the space. Through contrast, a depth is created that further emphasises form and dimensionality.

Budapest Café combines a rich and bold approach as place to gather and socialise, where Biasol’s heightened colour saturation encourages an engagement within the space and amongst patrons.

Through contrast and a celebration of its features, a balanced coming together of earthy tones accentuates stepped wall features, while curved arches and plush seating welcome guests to engage.