Free to Feed is a not-for-profit social enterprise centring around connection and empowerment though food-based initiatives. After operating out of their High St Northcote fit out which we completed 3 years ago, they were ready to grow up and move to a bigger space. The new site, the heritage lister Former Clifton Motor Garage, was expansive, exciting and full of potential. This opened door for Free to Feed to plan for new ventures, however the space still needed the warm and cozy atmosphere the previous space provided.
This project was truly a community effort and we were one of the many local designers and makers who played a part in the creation of the space and making the vision happen. Many hands came together to build, donate, and sponsor and the result is an inviting space with personality and character.
What was the brief?
The brief was to retain the existing functioning commercial kitchen and bar but revamp the tired interiors to reflect the Free to Feed vibe. The new space needed to be able to accommodate cooking classes and dinners, but also be flexible and adapt to the many events and community uses that may happen in the future.
Who are the clients and what's interesting about them?
Free to Feed is a not-for-profit social enterprise which advocates for refugees and new migrant through food-oriented initiatives. The organisation offers cooking classes, catering, and workshops which are hosted by their many cooks to share their culinary skills, traditions and stories in new communities.
How is the project unique?
With a very lean budget and a large space to fill, Free to Feed were creative about how to make it happen. The clients project managed the construction process themselves. Through a social media callout, they pulled together local businesses who donated their time or products to sponsor the project.
Styling: Made Rupert
Wignells - fireplace
Tint -paint
Pop and Scott - lighting
Proxima Melbourne - joinery
Ambience Lighting - lights
Anchor Ceramics - lights
Shade Collective - curtains
CJ and C Constructions - builder
What were the key challenges?
The key challenges were how to make a vast expansive space feel warm and inviting. The building was vast and cavernous but still needed to feel intimate in areas. In planning the space, areas were zoned according to the atmosphere that was desired by the clients - ie, the Living Room/ Salon, the Long Table Dining Room, the Ballroom, the Movie Room, the Sunny Event Nook, the Briefing Space. This helped create a narrative for how each of the areas would be used, as well as orient how it should be fitted out.
The building is heritage listed and this posed some restrictions on what could be done internally and externally. As a result, there were no structural changes or work to the services and all interventions were about surface treatment only.
One of the project’s biggest challenges was the budget. With a limited budget, some things were left out of the final scope. With the nature of working within existing structures coupled with sponsored products, it was also important to make what was available work. However the end result is eclectic and earthy and this suits the Free to Feed aesthetic.
What were the solutions?
The existing bar and kitchen were solid and required little work aside from some maintenance which freed up resources on the rest of the building. The existing fitout had a few non-structural walls and bulkheads and these were taken out to create a more airy space and improve the flow and circulation throughout. While some internal linings were removed, many were also retained and made use of a fresh lick of paint as a cost effective way to rejuvenate the building.
Due to the heritage protection, the internal brickwork were left bare and some non-original linings stripped back to let the original building shine through.
Curtains were used to divide the zones and this was a flexible option to create different atmospheres depending on the user.
There was an existing firebox which was replaced by a new fireplace and hearth and this became the heart of the Ballroom.
To try and keep costs down, as much of the existing was reused as possible so not to waste resources on things which weren’t necessary.
