Situated within John Wardle Architects’ design for 500 Bourke Street, Rosa’s Canteen enjoys a leafy outlook over the Supreme Court of Victoria. The restaurant design speaks to both its sharp new context and the more traditional roots of Rosa Mitchell’s rustic Italian food. The material palette honours Rosa’s heritage, with Terrazzo and powder-coated steel contrasted with Australian hardwoods. The island bar acts as the heart of the restaurant, celebrating its operation while providing the best seat in the house. The long entry galley is utilised for informal dining and also the functional needs of wine storage and host station. Reflecting Rosa’s ethos, the outcome is simple and understated, with a deliberately timeless physical presence that evokes the feeling of an old favourite lunch spot in the busy CBD.

The project was undertaken in collaboration with peterjaydeering.com