Space is a primary concern for any architectural design, and Brolly Studios of Melbourne have made rediscovering forgotten and unused space a bit of a speciality. Having come up trumps for other businesses, Brolly – Martin Heide and Megg Evans – thought they’d have a look at their own premises on La Trobe Street, Melbourne. Heide likens the excavation of partition walls and false ceilings to drilling for oil, so the pair must have been dancing around like Jed Clampett when they struck lucky with enough volume to fit a small café in at the front of their studio.
Small is the operative word, so Martin and Megg had to put their expertise to use in making the most of every cubic centimetre. The design of Flipboard Café hinges on flip up/down seating which creates a more roomy feel when stowed away. Extra storage space was reclaimed by carving into the walls, too. The venue features Brolly’s Press Stools – an innovative piece of upcycling using found printed material firmly sandwiched between two pieces of wood. Brolly makes a gift of these stools to favourite customers, so don’t forget to flash a winning smile when you order and tell barista Lincoln how much you love his native New Zealand.
Photography, Tanja Milbourne TM Photo
