The Challenge

Taming a "cavernous" volume to create human-scale intimacy.

When we first stepped into the iconic former Fishbank site on the corner of North Terrace and King William Street, we were met with equal parts excitement and apprehension. The grand Art Deco building offered undeniable prestige, but the site itself was a vast, oversized volume that did not conform to the rules of an engaging human space. Our challenge was to take a site that felt "cavernous" and cold and—using the principles of neuroarchitecture—find a way to make it considerably more intimate, engaging, and emotionally comfortable without losing its historic grandeur.

Our Approach

Theatrical Intervention and the Explorer-Hunter Narrative.

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To solve the spatial and volumetric issues, we moved beyond traditional decor to implement a series of bold, structural interventions designed to "hack" the viewer's perception of the room’s scale.

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• Tent Structures & Spatial Bookending: To break the oversized volume, we included two oversized circular tent structures to bookend the space. These serve as architectural anchors, creating "rooms within a room" that provide a sense of refuge and psychological safety within the larger hall.

• Art as a Spatial Tool: In partnership with Ricardo Rocha (Netherlands), we developed a series of original, oversized artworks in the style of J.M.W. Turner. These period-style paintings depict modern-day outdoor adventures, filling the vertical voids with a narrative of exploration that ties the Flinders Ranges and the Limestone Coast into the CBD.

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• The Heart of Fire: We positioned the open-fire kitchen and rotisserie as the theatrical "main stage." The challenge was balancing proximity for theatre while managing technical requirements—ensuring guests are close enough to feel the glow of the coal and flame, but far enough that the experience remains polished and comfortable.

• Material Opulence: To ground the Art Deco setting, we utilised a palette of dark, moody timbers, bronze accents, and plush leathers. Earthy textures and sculptural lighting wrap the dining room in a warmth that directly contrasts the steel and glass exterior.

"From our studies in neuroarchitecture, we knew this space would fail if we didn't stay within a specific spatial and lighting bandwidth to guarantee emotional comfort. We wanted to replace the 'cavernous' feel with a sense of awe."

— Calvin Janse van Vuuren