Showcasing Melbourne’s stellar skyline with its 180 degree view of the CBD, Yarra River and the Arts Precinct, Taxi Kitchen is the gem in Federation Square’s crown.

The brief was to move away from fine dining and create a more relaxed environment. The change was a refurbishment rather than a total overhaul. Reburbishment included: removing all the wine storage, creating a new front desk and inserting large communal tables, re-upholstering the banquette seating, and re-arranging the back area seating.

The designers worked alongside Paul Grummisch from please please please to create a stunning 16 metre long feature light called the Journey Light. This was inspired by a train route from city to suburbs. The designers also reinvigorated the outdoor area with new flooring, trees and more seating options.

The design took two months to complete and three weeks to implement. The designers kept with the transport theme for branding and then took a natural approach to the fabrics they chose and complemented this with a feathered concrete finish to the floors. These elements were chosen to compliment the strong architectural elements of the building.

Copper was used for the lighting, felts and chunky weaves for the seating and drapery, black metal accents were used for the bar, front desk frame and pillars, and a warm walnut timber tone throughout in tables chairs and bench tops.

The designers strongly believe there needs to be various seating options so that every time you come, you can have a new experience. Given the central location of the restaurant, they wanted diners to be able to see the different views from different areas of the restaurant, and the seating was designed to accommodate this.