Amongst the gum trees in the most picturesque picnic spot on the Georges River, Blackfish provides a relaxed and casual atmosphere. The cafe is enjoyed by an extensive clientele of young families, bike riders, seniors and morning walking groups. 

 

The brief was to redesign the precinct to embrace its divine natural surroundings and create a welcoming atmosphere that is local to the core.  

 

Experimentation with spatial planning resulted in the introduction of an espresso bar that brings class to the café and encourages customers to enjoy a coffee at the bar whilst admiring the view. The large open plan design is light and refreshing, drawing in the river breeze and allowing visitors to be amongst nature. This is complimented by the use of raw sandstone for the espresso bar which ties into the neighboring park Como Pleasure Grounds which is well known for its large sandstone boulders. 

 

A tailored collection of high quality materials and furniture was carefully selected to tie into the site. Fish tale tiles echo the site’s history as the Como Marina and a mix of functional sturdy outdoor furniture by Tait was selected to withstand all weather conditions. 

 

The takeaway window was introduced to ensure the business saturates all possible markets by catering for families and friends who prefer to play at the park with a takeaway coffee and ice cream. The welcoming response to the steady downward gradient of the site was to create a smart staircase. This addition to the original design seamlessly continues on from the espresso bar and the level changes adds a unique change to the traditional cafe style.

 

Skills Used: SketchUp, AutoCAD, Photoshop