The Higher Ground cafe and restaurant in Melbourne gets patrons charged up with a coffee and a good meal, which is fitting considering the eatery's locale. Built inside a decommissioned power station, the Higher Ground cafe and restaurant makes use of the brick walls and high ceilings that were a necessity for the former industrial site.
Designed by Design Office, an architecture firm based out of Collingwood, Australia, the only significant spatial addition to the building is a new level to separate cafe-goers from diners. Otherwise, the structure of the building is essentially unchanged from when it was a power station. To offset the toughness of the exposed bricks, Design Office included ample planters throughout the interior.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Adaptive Reuse of Industrial Sites
- Restaurants and cafes are repurposing former industrial sites to create unique and inspiring dining experiences.
- Industrial Aesthetic in Interior Design
- Businesses are embracing the raw and textural elements of former industrial spaces to create visually interesting interiors.
- Blending Dining Experiences
- Designers are creating multi-level spaces for cafes, bars, and restaurants in order to offer a diverse range of experiences within one venue.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Food and Beverage
- Restaurants and cafes are at the forefront of the trend to repurpose former industrial sites.
- Hospitality
- The hospitality industry is finding new opportunities to create unique and memorable experiences by embracing the aesthetics of former industrial spaces.
- Architecture and Design
- Design firms are working on projects to transform former industrial sites into exciting new venues.
