Let the good times roll at Billie Buoy.

Looking for a fun, youthful, and retro experience that will bring back the 1980s nostalgia? Look no further than Billie Buoy. Tucked in the rural Essendon neighbourhood about 5 miles north-west of Melbourne’s central businesses district, Billie Buoy is a new, community-friendly eatery serving health-conscious food with old-school tunes in the background. The small, cozy eatery embraces the 1980s pop-cultural and a too-cool-for-school vibe, drawing in young people and young families looking for a fun and eclectic hangout in the neighbourhood.

Designed by Australia-based, multidisciplinary design studio, Biasol, the interiors and branding were developed in unison to create high impact and to strengthen Billie Buoy’s appeal. A strong and distinct narrative was created with the consistent use of branding elements throughout, such as the cheeky punchlines on the walls or the catchy 80’s pop culture references throughout the customer touchpoints.

To get into the groove for the designing the project, the design team dusted off their Atari and Walkman, put a John Hughes movie in the VHS, and jammed to New Order and Madonna. The result is a space that personifies the Billie Buoy character - radical, hip and a little offbeat.

Located at the corner of an intersection, the eatery has a strong street presence to the front and side. Large, glass windows at the front provide a view into the front of the venue, encouraging curious passersby to peer in for a quick look. On the side of the building, a large “Wake Me Up When I’m Famous,” appeals to the young, tech-savvy crowds by providing a memorable backdrop for social media.

To make the most out of the compact, 60-square-metre space, the design team paid close attention to flow and spatial arrangement to make sure every inch is utilized to its full potential. Designed somewhat like a diner, a corner of banquette seating is at the entry and flows into the tall bar counter with stools. Many arched elements can be spotted throughout the space, a distinctive feature of Billie Buoy that is used to reduce the height of the ceiling in places as well as soften the junction points between the ceiling and wall.

A strong and rich palette of cobalt blue and accenting pops of hot pink is perfect for emulating the bold and moody vibe of the 80s. Paired with textural finishes through materials such as terrazzo, mosaic tiles, rendered walls and upholstery, the singular-hued space comes to life with depth, richness and complexity.

Rich, brick flooring grounds the space, while the stainless steel bar and arched shelving beyond it evoke old-school counter vibes. A bright pop of hot pink adds a touch of playfulness to the space, getting customers into the groove as they enjoy a drink or a snack at the counter.

The brand identity, including the signage, coffee cups, packaging and apparel, were all inspired by the bright, colourful designs of Memphis. Details such as Rick Astley’s catchy lyrics are printed on the takeaway bags, and a Billie Buoy spin on the Billionaire Boys Club can be found on the branded apparel.

Not only has the Biasol team brought the charming yet radical and hip Billie Buoy character to life through their masterful integration of brand design, interior design, and product design, they also created a photogenic space that captures the hearts of the young, health-conscious crowd who are always in the mood for a good time.

To see our other project features by Biasol, visit Farmer J and Greenwich Grind.

ABOUT BAISOL

Biasol (pronounced ‘b–are–zoul’) is an international multi-award-winning Melbourne based design studio specializing in delivering compelling residential, hospitality, workplace, and commercial environments. Their integrated working method produces diverse outcomes combining interior design, building design, product design, and branding.

PROJECT DETAILS

Name of the project: Billie Buoy

Location of the project: 23 Albion St, Essendon, Australia

Completion: 20 May 2020

Area: 60 sqm

Design Team: Biasol

Photography by: Timothy Kaye