A Look Inside Top Paddock By 6 Degrees Architects

Feature Article

Richmond, VIC, Australia

When a café is destined to become a staple of Melbourne’s hospitality scene because of its good vibes, efficient service and legendary ricotta hotcakes, its design might seem secondary. At Top Paddock, however, there’s a particular beauty to be admired, after all it’s the winning café design of 2013. Designed by Six Degrees Architects of Melbourne, it’s quickly become an impressive establishment to the evolving café culture, with serious foodies waking up early and lining up for a seat.

The design approach was focused on function and open plan, enhanced with rich materiality, texture and a series of communal and more intimate seating arrangements.

Once inside, the buzz is contagious, and there is a sense of home with rich timber floors, distinctive wall panelling and art deco references, clusters of wall sconces, different ceiling heights and a charming fireplace prefect for the chilly winter days. And it’s the sense of home that makes the visitors overstay every time.

A key element of Top Paddock is the thoughtful spatial planning and lighting. Allowing efficiency of service so guests will never feel they are in the way. There’s no risk of having a chair bumped because no aspect has been overlooked.

The evident simplicity of black and white palette features throughout but it’s softened with smooth wood, lining the walls in cosy nooks for added warmth and comfort. With practicality of open layout between the zones defined with suspended pendant lighting to expansive windows that let in abundance of natural light and provide views out to adjacent lush greenery and veggie patch boxes. Café enthusiasts are spoiled here. White subway tiles at the oversized central coffee bar create a balanced contrast to the dark ceiling above featuring a cluster of light fixtures and exposed stainless steel ducts.

Beyond being seriously impressive in food, coffee and style, every corner of Top Paddock conveys well thought out connections to its location and surroundings.

Having designed some of Melbourne’s top hospitality venues, Six Degrees Architects are known for their common theme of salvaging and reusing interiors. It might come as a welcome surprise as sustainability is highly regarded with colourful street signs where playful meets recycled.

And that’s exactly what sets apart good design. It’s not just aesthetically pleasing but it’s functional and creative. It’s having a feel, an instinct and taste, and Top Paddock ticks all the boxes.