GAA was invited to submit a design as part of an invited competition for the Vineyard restaurant / bar building in O’ Donnell gardens in central St.Kilda. The previous incarnations of a Boatshed, Teahouse, Café now a Bar and Restaurant have all operated in the simple timber clad, metal roof structure. It has been a feature of the gardens looking towards Luna Park, at the beginning of Acland St. for over 100 years.
Asked to renovate and extend the building to incorporate new bars, dining and function rooms, along with service, accessibility and sustainable upgrades, the challenge for this very public site was to respect, extend and integrate the proposal with the park and surrounds.
A low key building, adding to Vineyard’s existing success was offered a considered future direction for all stakeholders, i.e client, public, patrons, council and govt. as to maintain the principals expressed in the brief. The approach was to consider all aspects of the site, in particular to cover the existing building, fabric and operation, heritage issues, as well as providing warmth, arts, culture and music that welcome all patrons.
Project Team: Grant Amon, Stephen Herbst, Josie Porter, Laurend Zmood, Lucas Amon
