The jury’s comment:

“Working within a challenging commercial space, the designers have created a level of hospitality layered in sophistication and storytelling that has not yet been seen in the Bay of Plenty region. Picnicka is a visual feast and a beautiful stage for an inviting food and beverage offering. Clever curation and thoughtful execution ensure its narrative is joyfully expressed in moments throughout the restaurant interior while a focus on sustainability sees local materials destined for landfill elegantly woven into the fabric of the design.”

PROJECT DETAILS:

Location: Tauranga

Client: Picnicka

Building area (m²): 386.7m²

Project brief: The client came to CTRL Space with a loose idea and the name ‘Picnicka’. The brand had established the idea of a place where guests could ‘graze and play’. This phrase created the backbone of the creative direction, celebrating the romance with nature found while enjoying a picnic in a European meadow. The project ambition was to create a popular hospitality anchor to Tauranga’s latest residential development, the Elizabeth Towers, which delivers modern apartment living paired with a dining and retail precinct at street level, located at the upper end of the city’s CBD.

Credits:

• Project principal – Chris Stevens
• Design director – Sam Griffin
• Senior interior designer – Summer Bishop
• Project delivery manager – Louis Fox
• Procurement manager – Lauren Marshall

“With the intention to create an immersive dining environment, we began with creating a sense of architectural definition and character not found elsewhere in the city. Recycled brick-clad columns paired with charcoal cedar and emerald-green tiles created a shopfront threshold, which draws a line between work and play. Inside brings a sense of authenticity and escapism, through a rich material palette that showcases foreign materials and craftsmanship. The spatial arrangement delivers seamless operational functionality for staff, while also producing multiple zones within the restaurant for guests that encourage exploration and discovery.” – The CTRL Space team

Watch the finalist presentation here:

With thanks to our Interior Awards 2023 sponsors. Find out more about each of our sponsors here.