Lobbs Cafe | Brunswick (VIC)

Project overview

Lobbs Cafe occupies a former toy shop in Brunswick, reworked into a large-scale, light-filled hospitality venue. The design retains the building’s generous volume while introducing a strong material and colour strategy that gives the space identity and warmth.

Design direction

Techne approached the project with a focus on openness and clarity. High ceilings and timber flooring ground the interior, while a pastel palette softens the scale of the space. A monolithic servery anchors the room, paired with simple linear lighting that reinforces the café’s clean geometry.

Block colour moments and corrugated polycarbonate elements introduce texture and depth. A curated series of photographic portraits lines the walls, referencing local Brunswick identities and reinforcing the café’s connection to its neighbourhood.

Why the space works

Scale with warmth: Large volume balanced with soft colour and timber finishes
Clear focal point: Central servery that defines circulation
Local character: Artwork that anchors the venue in its community
Flexible seating mix: Suitable for solo visits through to group dining

External references

Explore related hospitality furniture: Browse commercial dining chairs, hospitality tables, and bar stools suited to high-traffic café environments.

Gallery

Café design insights

1. Volume needs grounding.
Large heritage or warehouse-style spaces benefit from warm materials such as timber flooring and upholstered seating to prevent the room feeling cold.

2. A strong servery anchors movement.
When the counter becomes the visual centrepiece, circulation becomes intuitive and service improves.

3. Colour can define zones.
Block colours help break up large volumes without building physical partitions.

4. Community references create loyalty.
Artwork and local identity build emotional connection and repeat trade.