Somewhat of an institution in Hobart, the Tassal Salmon Shop, cooking school and cafe has now opened its doors in Kew.

The overall look and feel of this fitout is a sensory experience relating to every element of the product. The aim was to produce a meeting point and melting pot of products, recipes and dishes all focused on the product - salmon.

Mim Design created a textural and tonal interior that referred back to the key ingredient being salmon. There are a number of elements throughout the store that reference the salmon product - the fish scale tiles, the lasercut fishnet wrapping the demonstration kitchen, the fishbowl pendants and the colour palette. Other elements also referenced were warm timber materials, slatted textural panels and key display shelving that show natural tone creating warmth within the retail environment.

The site was challenging as it had low ceilings and seven or eight different heights throughout. The biggest challenge was getting the

services in the ceiling consequently slatted bulkheads were created over the café and retail areas which framed these areas whilst providing a linear and rhythmic direction. The remainder of the ceiling has been sprayed a dark colour to allow the timber to take form.

The store has three functions: retail, café and demonstration cooking so it was important to break up the space accordingly. The demonstration kitchen sits as a ‘box within a box’ so it appears to stand separately as the centrepiece for the store. Glass bifolds enable the space to be open or used as overflow from the café or additional retail space when cooking classes aren’t being held.

There is a strong fusion between the brand, product and the interior through the references of the fish and the curelean blue of the corporate brand. All splashbacks to the retail and café areas use the Tassal graphic and colour but the name doesn’t feature anywhere. As with the entry doors and screen. In this way, Tassal aims to provide an overall experience.