Dedece Melbourne

by CO-AP Architects

From The Architect

The building’s previous typology of the warehouse structure consisted of double height, a loading dock and an adjoining two story administration unit at the rear.

Architects removed the existing façade openings and replaced it with a new internal structure which forms 4.4m high window bays at each corner and side to activate views of the park across the road and to an existing tree within the estate.

Inside, CO-AP designed a T-shaped mezzanine within the double height space of the warehouse to form two dramatic voids which are framed by the new 4.4m windows.

A large sculptural staircase was then set within one of the large voids to help break the internal spatial symmetry within.

The new glass entry vestibule was recessed under the new mezzanine soffit, providing visitors with a spatial experience where they feel compressed and then released into the double height voids as they explore the furniture settings.

Material palettes for the lower and upper showrooms were designed to be complimentary, allowing for a modest overlap between two major brands; Monitti and Knoll. The moody and sophisticated palette of Minotti has been used downstairs and woven artfully into the fresh and modernist palette of Knoll which is upstairs. The result is a luxurious new showroom space of warm interior spaces with sophistication and style.

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