Project Team

design: MBMO
audio integrator: CAVS
audio consultants: Konnectus

Suppliers

furniture: Thonet

Recently opened Mordeo Bistro & Bar is bringing a slice of Southern Europe to Sydney’s CBD. Mordeo, which means to bite or devour, is elegant but casual, nestled in the Assembly of Deutsche Bank place, and offers innovative southern European cuisine using inspiring
culinary techniques.

Mordeo Bistro & Bar has been specially designed to reflect the iconic building it is situated within. The awe inspiring 15m tall Assembly was both a challenge and an inspiration for the appointed architects MBMO. Five super-sized lamps are a key element to the design, being a feature for both Moredo and the building they are a part of. Their size and close spacing create a sense of enclosure, a private space for guests to be in, without losing the connection with the unique external setting. Authentic touches and natural materials, like walls featuring subway tiles, copper spun pendant lights, and a beautiful pressed tin bar, provide tactile qualities to the venue.

Mordeo demanded a design solution that would complement the brief for an initimate Southern European bistro and bar within the context of the cathedral like proportions of “The Assembly” (lobby). The owners approached the architect who lead the team for the base building design to find a solution.

With limited internal space available for the bistro, the brief was to extend and maximise the hospitality space outside and to activate the external space of the “The Assembly”. Finding a design statement bold enough to have its own presence in the impressive context was the challenge.

The brief was to create a casual bistro experience reminiscent of Southern Europe reflecting the style of food and drink. The solution was conceived around the five super-sized lamps which suited both the bistro and the context of The Assembly. Their presence and lighting equally contribute to the place-making of the outdoor seating area, their close spacing create a sense of enclosure, a private space for guests to be in, without losing the connection with the external setting. This innovative design solution was cost effective and resolved a major issue for Mordeo, and resulted in a warm and inviting bistro and bar. The project was well conceived; delivered within its commercial constraints.

Based on an outline brief by the client and specific requirements of the building owners, the design was developed in workshops leading option studies that were eliminated to two remaining options, and finally a single option that the was detail designed.

MBMO’s selection of finishes were a response to the brief giving an authentic touch and included natural materials, like walls featuring subway tiles, copper spun pendant lights and the leather banquette created a relaxed and stylish environment.

 Colour schemes of major elements were strongly influenced by the building context, in particular the existing dominant natural stone flooring in the open space. Material selections are based on MBMO’s principle approach to architecture and design which is aligned with the client’s; where possible use natural materials represented in the original texture and colour. Background colours are chosen to provide warmth and comfort and compliment the key elements.

Potentially intimidating due to the scale of the entry, the design for Mordeo had to be inviting, stylish but casual, inviting to passing pedestrian traffic to come in for a drink or a meal, a rendezvous point for city workers and those in 126 Phillip St. Whilst the lamp shades enclosed the space, MBMO utilised the water feature as a boundary. Their selection of high top tables and stools and lower sitting tables, created a dynamic within the space, giving it variety.

The brief was to create a casual bistro experience reminiscent of Southern Europe reflecting the style of food and drink. Authentic touches and natural materials, like walls featuring subway tiles, copper spun pendant lights, also provided tactile qualities to the venue. The open style bar and the pressed metal gave the bistro a feeling of theatre; reminiscent of a holiday in the Mediterranean.

The five giant lamps gave a sense of intimacy and privacy, and the Copper spun pendant lighting were a lighting feature that provided down lighting over the bar and created an atmosphere and complimented the copper plated pizza oven

Innovation was demonstrated by the five super-sized lamps which created human scale and “shelter” from the Assembly, the reskinning of the pre-existing bar and the inclusion of the pre-existing pizza oven- which was made a feature of by reskinning it in cooper – clearly demonstrates MBMO’s design practice and value management.

Sven Ollmann the architect/designer for this project was the Principal Architect for 126 Phillip St, Sydney, he came to Australia to lead this project as he was a Partner at Fosters and Partners. This is why he was appointed to the project, as he understood the scale and intent of the base build.

Audio
A Bosch PLENA Matrix System with Electro-Voice EVID ceiling and wall-mount speakers was installed. An EV RE-2-510 Wireless Mic system will be used for announcements.

1 x PLENA Matrix PLM-8M8 8 Channel DSP Matrix Mixer
1 x PLENA Matrix PLM-4P220 4 Channel DSP 220W Amplifier
8 x EVID C8.2 CEILING LOUDSPEAKERS
2 x EVID 6.2T BLACK XFMR WALL-MOUNT LOUDSPEAKERS
1 x EV RE-2-510-C-A WIRELESS MIC SYSTEM