Tempo Rubato is a live classical music venue and bar in Brunswick inserted within the ground floor of a 1960's brick warehouse. It is a unique initiative making a vital cultural contribution to the emerging urbanity of this pocket of Brunswick. It also operates as a not-for-profit social enterprise which funnels all profits into a venture called The Piano Project that provides piano lessons to refugee and under-privileged children.

Since launching in June 2019, Tempo Rubato has become a significant gathering place for both the local community as well as the legion of music lovers dispersed throughout Melbourne. Polystudio designed a minimal fit-out to suit a very low budget with scope for incremental alterations and additions over time to suit the evolving use of the space. Preliminary funding for the works was provided by a State Government community grant within the Pick My Project initiative.

The existing warehouse shell consisted of an exposed concrete slab ceiling supported on a series of deep steel beams, as well as exposed brick walls. The key design interventions structure the experience of the space without fundamentally changing its nature.

The main built element is a white cube that houses amenities and services, dividing the front of house bar and entry area from the performance space. A translucent polycarbonate wall separates the entry to the first floor co-share office tenancy whilst preserving the animating presence of the original steel and concrete staircase from within the bar and entry. A differentiated lighting layout comprising different light types and orientations demarcates the various zones within an otherwise open floorplate.