The humble hamburger has been a scorching success in Melbourne and Grill’d have been at the forefront of the food revolution for over a decade. Techne Architecture + Interior Design has just unveiled a new-look restaurant for the burger brand to add to its menu.

Last year, Grill’d celebrated its 10-year anniversary, after its first restaurant opened in Hawthorn in 2004. Today, the company has 91 restaurants in every state and territory in Australia and has been at the forefront of the healthy burger revolution.

The new-look Grill’d restaurant is sure to turn up the heat in Flinders Lane, Melbourne with its quirky use of materials and a playful fit-out that keeps in line with the personality of the burger brand. 

Techne explored a range of different ideas for the restaurant design, taking it to a new direction never before seen at Grill’d.

“The project design was firstly driven by the double height space we had to work with. It was asking us to fill it, so in addition to creating more floor area with a cosy mezzanine space we wanted to create an installation piece that defined the restaurant internally and externally,” explains Nick Travers of Techne.

“The location also contributed to the design outcome in that Flinders Lane is a hotbed and premier precinct of Melbourne restaurants and the interior design needed to be able to stand confidently alongside it’s high quality neighbours,” adds Travers.

Spanning over two levels, Techne designed bespoke mild steel and timber stairs, dark oak flooring and concrete pendant lights over the servery area. On the top floor, a tiled terrazzo bar-top with half round Victorian Ash timber cladding helps enhance the unconventional vibe of the restaurant.

The major focal point in the restaurant is the cardboard tubing light feature, which can be viewed from outside the restaurant and was designed to change people’s perceptions of everyday materials. Made from low-cost, recycled cardboard tubes, the hanging light feature and wall cladding have inbuilt lighting and the visual impact of the installation compliments the height of the two storey space.

“We are proud of the overall effect and ambience of the interior design. The mezzanine dining area offers a great vantage point to watch the passing foot traffic along Flinders Lane while providing a more intimate and cosy environment as a counterpoint to the more bustling ground level space,” says Travers.

The casual, quirky design of the new-look CBD Grill’d is sure to entice burger lovers alike, highlighting that great design can be made from any material and on any budget.