Evelyn Reynolds

South Lake Tahoe is best described as a wonderland. Located in California’s El Dorado County in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the small city boasts a natural landscape fit for adventure. It’s not surprising holidaymakers and tourists from around the globe flock to the photogenic area year-round. And for the owners of SUP Tahoe Stand Up Paddle, the recent resurgence in visitors provided an opportunity to extend their business to include bike rental and a cafe.

View gallery

The fitout combines stone counter tops, concrete flooring and American oak to create a calm interior. Image:

Codi Ann, Spence Backman

They wanted an international studio to design their Pine Nut Cycle Cafe and create an interior with a truly global flavour. In this regard, there was no better practice than Melbourne’s Biasol Studio, who imbue all they do with an effortless sophistication and sense of freshness. The designers drew on their international design sensibilities and also looked to the surroundings. “We took a holistic approach to the design, integrating the experience of being in a natural setting,” says Biasol director Jean-Pierre Biasol. “And from this we developed a colour palette and branding inspired by the union of nature and craft.”
The cafe, retail zone and bike rental service area flow seamlessly, held together by a minimalist scheme. Custom detailing characterises the counters and the open merchandising unit, all of which were crafted from American oak by local tradespeople. The softest greys and greens evoke the pine forest landscape, complementing the honey-coloured joinery and instilling a sense of calm, while throughout, counter tiles and polished concrete flooring add texture.

View gallery

Fibonacci stone was used for Pine Nut Cycle Cafe’s water station. Image:

Codi Ann, Spence Backman

But the palette’s most striking element is the use of stone from Australian terrazzo brand Fibonacci, as counter tops, a splashback, the menu board and display unit’s back panel. The Moon Garden stone is patterned with pale grey, chocolate, nude and white, and punctuates the space to stunning yet understated effect. For Biasol, no other stone could have done the job. “We love how Fibonacci’s Moon Garden subtly complements the design’s overall materiality,” he explains. “Its natural colour tones are truly unique and there’s simply no other stone like it anywhere else in the world. Our clients actually researched many other terrazzo suppliers and came to believe 100 percent in our selection.”
Another advantage of using the Moon Garden product is the collaborative way in which Fibonacci works. One of the company’s biggest priorities is providing certainty of supply to designers and in this case it meant supporting Biasol through the challenges of delivering a project internationally, and working closely with the local tradespeople to provide invaluable guidance. Fibonacci founder Michael Karakolis was undestandably delighted with the results. “We’re grateful to Jean-Pierre and the client,” he says. “This project personified the importance of collaboration to achieve a very unique and exclusive outcome.”
Using such a high-quality, reliable product that will stand the test of time was also of utmost importance here. It’s added timeless appeal to a well-considered fit-out that ultimately makes the overall design more nuanced and the space itself even more welcoming.
Presented by Fibonacci. You can view their full range of terrazzo at fibonacci.com.au More

The Western Australian government has announced the appointment of lead architects on five education projects across the state as part of a multi-million school building blitz it promised in the 2021 election. On 14 June 2022, education minister Sue Ellery announced the appointment of MCG Architects to design Eaton Community College’s new design and technology […] More

The Australian Interior Design Awards (AIDA) for 2022 were held on 17 June at Sydney’s Hyatt Regency, showcasing the brightest, most original and groundbreaking talent the industry has to offer.
An adaptation of a 1920s brick warehouse has taken home the Premier Award or Australian Interior Design as well as award for residential design.
Stable and Cart House by Clare Cousins Architects was described by the jury as an “exemplary piece of work” that is “sublime in every way”. The jury members unanimously agreed the project was worthy of the top recognition as a design that was not only easy on the eye, but that had been practically conceived to be lived in.

View gallery

Stable and Cart House by Clare Cousins Architects. Image:

Sharyn Cairns

“Originally a stable and cart store designed by esteemed architect Harry Norris, the house had a rich history of varied tenants, including an ironworks, a salvage warehouse and a dressmaking atelier,” the architects said in a design statement.
The architect embraced the rich history of the 100-year-old site, from its double-heighted perimeter walls to the original feed loft, while injecting light and warmth into the singular volume space. The jury commended the home’s use of material palette – industrial patina, aged timbers and rusted corrugated roofing – to celebrate the historic elements of the house.
“The material palette not only reflects a sustainable approach to how people live, but also displays a responsive understanding of an Australian design language that supports the opportunity for the house to age gracefully,” the jury said.
Colour and detail were used masterfully, with the new material characteristics creating a pleasing contrast with the old. The jury concluded, “The design’s balance and restraint makes it simply amazing.”
In the Residential Decoration category, the award went to the home of Australian singer-songwriter and Youtuber Troye Sivan, created by Flack Studio.
See all the winners of the 2022 Australian Interior Design Awards here. More

The Australian Institute of Architects has announced the jury for the 2022 National Architecture Awards, to be held in November. The five jurors, Tony Giannone, Caroline Pidcock, Poppy Taylor, Adrian Iredale, and Tim Ross, will be tasked with evaluating and discerning the best in architecture across Australia. Tony Giannone is the Institute’s immediate past national […] More

Sydney’s Circular Quay is set to undergo major revitalization after the NSW government announced $216 million funding allocation for the project. Circular Quay is one of Australia’s most significant cultural precincts and a key transport interchange for Sydney. Visitors to the precinct are forecast to grow by more than 40 percent in the next ten […] More

Studio Hollenstein has designed the centrepiece of a proposed $56.4 million eco-tourism attraction in the World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforests on the NSW mid-north coast. A new Arc Rainforest Centre, featuring a curved boardwalk offering views overlooking the rainforest will be part of NSW government project to create a multi-day walk and visitors centre in the […] More

Conrad Gargett has been appointed to design the Misk Foundation Headquarters in Saudi Arabia, intended as the centrepiece for the world’s first purportedly “nonprofit city”. The city was announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in November 2021 to help achieve the objectives of his eponymous foundation, known as Misk. The foundation was established in […] More

Cumulus Studio has partnered with Housing Choices Tasmania and the Department of Communities to deliver a new social housing initiative in West Ulverstone on Tasmania’s north-west coast.
The Oak Rise Housing development is made up of two- and three-bedroom homes and uses contemporary design, locally sourced materials, and a naturalistic palette to reflect the surrounding vegetation.
The community of 48 courtyard-style homes, overlooking Bass Strait in an established natural landscape, strives to foster a sense of locality and belonging.
Cumulus architect and project lead Tim Blakeway said the team wanted to create a close sense of community through thoughtful design and activated communal areas.

View gallery

Shared driveways and slow pedestrian areas create a vibrant sense of community. Image:

Cumulus Architects

“We focused on the idea of creating a vibrant community through simple elements such as shared driveways and slow pedestrian areas, but also through a considered reduction of unused outdoor spaces that normally exist between each residence,” said Blakeway.
The homes have been designed with north-facing courtyards at the front of each residence, to fill the internal rooms with warm light, and create a natural extension for the living areas.
“The rooms wrap around the courtyards to give residents a sense of enclosure and privacy, but they are also spaces that can easily open up to the street, connecting each home to the rest of the community,” added Blakeway.
The architect said it prioritised visual diversity “by dotting the collection of houses with several design variations, including different brick patterns for the facades”. According to associate architect Edwina Brisbane, the variations provide moments of individuality, and the palettes are inspired by the changing seasonal hues of the mature elms and oaks that punctuate the development.
Cumulus was careful to ensure that establish vegetation was retained and celebrated on site.
The Oak Rise Housing development is scheduled for completion for mid-2023. More