Inspired by sci-fi set design, Gelato Messina Cronulla draws from romantic visions of the future. A grid of oversized, underlit circular lights hovers over a space that is many things at once: gritty, reflective, warm, and bold.
Our fourth project with Gelato Messina, the brief was to evolve both the brand and the space—something unique and distinct from their other stores, something experimental and futuristic.
The concept was born from a mutual admiration (with the client) for Luc Besson’s 1997 sci-fi film The Fifth Element. The film’s mood and gritty set design became the foundation for the environment and the ‘other-worldly’ gelato experience we aimed to create.
As with all GM stores, there were specific circulation requirements and a need to manage large waves of customers. A generous site made this easier to accommodate, allowing for booth seating and a communal table.
GM has its own joinery workshop, so as much as possible was designed to be built in-house by the client. This was balanced with the need for highly robust, low-maintenance and environmentally considerate materials.
Immediately eye-catching from the street and pushing the limits of GM’s ‘each-store-is-different’ philosophy, the space is dramatic and a bold departure for the brand. This varied experience across stores creates a dynamic engagement with the Messina identity.
The space is laid out with function as the first priority. With a streamlined connection to BOH, an allowance for large waves of customers, and visibility to the churner area the priority. The booth seating, a rare luxury in a GM store, offers moments of intimacy between the rushes.
The space reflects the ethos of the brand: experimental, progressive and crafted with quality ingredients. It is also the result of a maturing client and designer relationship. The collaboration has been exploratory, productive and open, pushing the limits of what a gelato shop should look like and the capability of the GM workshop and construction team.
Questions and Answers
Project Summary
Inspired by sci-fi set design, Gelato Messina Cronulla draws from romantic visions of the future. A grid of oversized, underlit circular lights hovers over a space that is many things at once: gritty, reflective, warm, and bold.
Describe the design project
Our fourth project with Gelato Messina, the brief was to evolve both the brand and the space—something unique and distinct from their other stores, something experimental and futuristic.
The concept was born from a mutual admiration (with the client) for Luc Besson’s 1997 sci-fi film The Fifth Element. The film’s mood and gritty set design became the foundation for the environment and the ‘other-worldly’ gelato experience we aimed to create.
As with all GM stores, there were specific circulation requirements and a need to manage large waves of customers. A generous site made this easier to accommodate, allowing for booth seating and a communal table.
GM has its own joinery workshop, so as much as possible was designed to be built in-house by the client. This was balanced with the need for highly robust, low-maintenance and environmentally considerate materials.
Response to the hospitality offering
Immediately eye-catching from the street and pushing the limits of GM’s ‘each-store-is-different’ philosophy, the space is dramatic and a bold departure for the brand. This varied experience across stores creates a dynamic engagement with the Messina identity.
The space is laid out with function as the first priority. With a streamlined connection to BOH, an allowance for large waves of customers, and visibility to the churner area the priority. The booth seating, a rare luxury in a GM store, offers moments of intimacy between the rushes.
The space reflects the ethos of the brand: experimental, progressive and crafted with quality ingredients. It is also the result of a maturing client and designer relationship. The collaboration has been exploratory, productive and open, pushing the limits of what a gelato shop should look like and the capability of the GM workshop and construction team.
How is this project innovative?
Innovation in the design process came through the interweaving of schematic design with construction detailing. This approach was possible because of the direct line between designer and (multiple repeat) client, who is also the builder.
In a broader context, the aesthetic and inspiration behind the store push the boundaries of the gelato shop typology, deliberately steering away from the repeated and expected direction.
Design innovation is evident in the material approach and detailing. Combining robust, textural and unusual materials throughout the space; marmoleum wrapped tables with aluminium plate end caps, custom-made orange vinyl booth seating, bendy-ply texture coated feature ceiling lights, a ‘pixellated’ R10 porcelain tile floor pattern, quartz carpet texture coating, glass block contrasting with an orange PVC strip curtain and stainless steel counters, cabinetry and (custom) cabinetry handles.
This mix of materials and forms creates a space that is many things at once; futuristic but familiar, durable but warm, rough and textural but also reflective, layered and moody.