Published 15 Oct 2024
S3. Ep 41. Talking with Nick Travers about Designing Melbourne’s Iconic Hospitality Venues
Hey Legends! In this week’s episode of The Building Talks Podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Nick Travers, the owner and director of Techne Architects. Nick’s firm has made a big name for itself here in Melbourne, designing some of the city’s most iconic hospitality venues. From trendy cafés to buzzing pubs and restaurants, Techni Architects is all about creating spaces that Melburnians love to hang out in.
Nick’s journey is a fascinating blend of architecture and hospitality—he’s not just an architect but also a seasoned restaurateur. We chatted about his work on iconic spots like the Espy in St. Kilda, The Garden State (CBD), and the exciting renovation of the Waterside Hotel (overlooking the River Yarra) on King and Flinders Street. Nick opened up about the challenges and creative process behind designing these vibrant venues, ensuring they’re both stylish for patrons and practical for restaurateurs.
If you’re into Melbourne’s buzzing café and restaurant culture or curious about the design elements that make these spaces so inviting, you’ll want to tune in. We explored what it takes to create functional yet beautiful interiors that capture the essence of Melbourne’s food and drink scene. Grab a coffee (or cocktail) and hit play to dive into this captivating chat with Nick Travers!
Takeaways:
- Architecture and design are key to creating great dining experiences.
- Laneway bars grew thanks to laws allowing cocktail bars without a food focus.
- Nick’s passion led him from architecture to a thriving career in hospitality.
- Designing pubs means respecting their history and cultural roots (and the flow of Beer!).
- Great venues balance customer experience with smooth back-end operations.
- Acoustics and smart design play big roles in a venue’s success.
- The effect of the pandemic on small cafes and Melbourne’s food scene.
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor the guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.
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Building Talks Podcast
Talking to professionals in construction, property development, architecture, and beyond.
