Project Team

design: Georgina Mann

Strasse is connected to an iconic pub/restaurant in Geelong. Entry to the venue is gained through the carpark at the rear and past the kitchen store rooms - very ‘Melbourne’ in that hidden bar sense.

Owner Nick Reed approached Georgina Mann and other designers to place their pitch on the project and Georgina was selected. As she is a student and had never designed a bar before, she sought out professionals in various fields to give her advice.

The whole philosophy behind the venue was taking industrial European influences and making it homely and warming in this intimate bar. The initial space included a feature wall of uneven wooden slats arranged in a balanced manner. Georgina was able to keep this as the tonal aspects in the wood paired well with other wooden tones and metallic elements used elsewhere in the venue. The same cabinet maker that made the feature wall was used to create the backbar thus maintaining unity in style of craftsmanship

There were obsicals throughout then whole process, like any design collaboration. Georgina was hired for her initial vision for the space but over the months of development and refinement stages of the project, many alterations were made. Nothing major however. Ideas were thrown out by all parties involved and they worked together to make decisions.

Georgina started her planning with taking pictures of the initial space and also received floor plans. She then started sketching ideas in both an ariel floor plan view and in perspective as she found that is often better for a client to view and imagine the space. The opening date was set from the beginning. It was decided that due to bookings in the space, most construction work needed to happen offsite and then everything would be brought together in a week before open.

A textured leather effect vinyl was used on the booths and rough textured woods were used in various places of the venue. Drawing on the industial street side.

With the colour scheme and textural qualities, Georgina drew on influence from industrial Europe and just looked to match what was already existing in the venue (wooden tones) with metals to keep it warm and cozy.

Features include the metal display cages and the back bar is a feature in itself. Near the entrance is one of the cages housing an old typewriter and set up with a lamp and a chair and a coat stand. The typewriter has some writing in progress. These are the house rules and a slightly poetic reflection of what the bar is all about. It’s a cheeky little feature that works well.

Using Ghost Patrol worked really well to do the wall art as his work is really creative and quirky but still has that street art edge that was required.

Lighting plays a massive part in creating ambiance and setting the right mood. Candles are a classic mood setter and were used as a decorative feature along with standard diming capable lights throughout.