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Dandelion by MJA Studio

2022 Best of Region Winner 

MJA Studio have created a new hospitality venue in Perth that is inspired by the essence of the dandelion; a flower known known worldwide for its beauty. This 700m2 project includes a bar, restaurant, wood-fired kitchen and distillery that talks to the beauty of open space and raw expression within a busy shopping centre environment.

Keep reading to learn more about this stunning project which was a Best of Region winner in our 2022 Shaw Contract Design Awards! 

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Photography by Dion Robeson

Design Inspiration

"The dandelion.. known worldwide for its beauty. Endless fields of yellow veils moving with the breeze, and over time transforming... its wispy arms floating away in the breeze on a warm day. The story goes, if you can blow all the seeds off a dandelion in a single breath, that the person you love will love you back…” – MJA Studio

The essence of the dandelion is a touchstone MJA Studio associate with this venue’s design concept. The team have created a whimsical and enchanting dining experience, layered across two floors. Dandelion feels like somewhere you want to linger for hours; settling in as the first glimpse of sunset appears across the balcony above, then transforming into a darker and ambient space. 

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Photography by Dion Robeson

Two distinct dining and drinking areas flow over the double storey space- joined by their gradient of colour. What starts as a fresh, clean and vibrant pink transforms to an earthy and rich red. No matter the season, nor the time of day, Dandelion is a space that is welcoming, inviting and comfortably woven into its centre surroundings.

Hand-picked finishes, metallic details and an eclectic edit of colour, texture and pattern come together to cultivate a place for neighbourhood gatherings and genuine hospitality and social exchange.

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The craft and expressive detail and materiality begins as soon as you step through the front door. Muted, dusty pink tones work harmoniously across various scales and materials to create an open and airy space, delivering a subtle backdrop for the spaces heroes: the copper gin still and ground floor bar. The combination of terracottas, warm wooden veneers, sandalwoods and moroccan pink create a sensation of spring time. The fibrous seeds of the dandelion seen in intricate metal fabrics and filigree timber panelling. 

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“There's a really clever use of materials and a really fantastic layering effect that's happening across this project. You want to soak in the textural elements and the materiality that was used. It doesn't feel like it's over-the-top from a finishes perspective, but it's clever in the materiality choices. There’s a sense of escapism, and a sensory environment driving you into this space. This is an entertainment venue and I'm entertained.”

- Pablo Albani / Principal at Group GSA & juror for our 2022 Best of Region panel.

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Travelling up the main stairwell, the palette draws your eyes to a shift of atmosphere between the lower and upper levels. The space becomes unapologetically moody and dynamic. The upper level colour palette is more autumnal; timber and blacks offset the burnt red ceilings and patterned tiled bar. The positioning of the chefs kitchen and wood smoker create an alluring ambience and energy as you approach the bar. 

Textured fabrics and delightfully worn leathers help local shopper who stop for a quick glass of rose, or imbibers that find themselves settling into the lounge by the fire to linger awhile longer. Delicately detailed wallpapers, stained timbers and worn leathers compliment the flooring, Shaw Contract’s Dye Lab, to furthermore enhance the romantic, fiery, feminine feel of the upper level bar and dining areas. 

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“This project was a brilliant example of contrast for me. It has a robustness to it with the selection of materials, but then there's an overlaying of elegant detailing. A lot of thought went into the detailing of this project; it’s evocative and playful."

- Francene O’Connor / Principal at STH

Product Feature

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Dye Lab

An assortment of expressive natural stones are used throughout the space, balanced with the natural, organic feel of concrete griege tiling, warm hand cut brick slips and Shaw Contract Dye Lab carpets underneath. The varied, natural colorations of the carpet and brick slips evoke a sense of luxury and comfort, whilst also defining break-out areas and curated dining spaces. The carpet insets work harmoniously with the colour palettes of each floor, whilst also providing a feeling of warmth and providing some acoustic functionality, softening the excited chatter and clinging of cocktail glasses.

Dye Lab tile draws inspiration from natural dyes, including madder root, Osage orange, sandalwood, and Saxon, and mimics the colour shifts rendered in naturally dyed textiles, creating an elegant and unpredictable visual. Dye Lab brings lush intimacy or expansive boldness to the spaces where we work, rest and come together.

Dye Lab is In Stock in Australia 

View Dye Lab Collection

View all 2022 Best of Region Winners

From almost 600 Design Awards submissions, 37 projects were selected as Best of Region Winners by a diverse panel of judges from around the globe. Explore these high calibre projects, all of which are eligible for the next stage of judging to select the Best of Globe.