The Nelson Bar is a project of Techne Architecture + Interior Design, in Melbourne, Australia.
Project details by Techne: The bayside landscape of St Kilda provides both the stunning backdrop and the inspiration behind this newest project from Technē Architecture + Interior Design. The Nelson is where you can come to indulge your appetites in rum, while relaxing in a comforting local bar fitted out with raw, rustic materials complete with a legendary Kraken looking over you.“The client’s brief was to create a laid back venue with a real ‘local pub’ feel and our ‘maritime / dive bar’ theme caters for this perfectly, whilst at the same time it is a fitting response to the bayside suburb of St. Kilda,” says Dale McDougall, from Technē.
Located in the heart of St Kilda, at 56 Acland Street, the timeworn, rustic feel is carried throughout the interior of the bar. The timber-clad bar is based on the design of a port’s pier and serves as the main feature of the scheme as it runs centrally through the longitudinal space. This allows customers to sit on either side of the bar allowing them to chat directly to bar staff giving the place an informal ‘local pub’ feel.
“The modest choice of materials and finishes help reinforce our concept further,” states McDougall. Recycled timbers recovered from the Docklands are used throughout to form the joinery and help create an authentic timeworn aesthetic – a direct response to the surrounding bayside area of St Kilda.
A hand painted mural of a mythical sea creature ‘The Kracken’ by artist Dexter Rosengrave, is located at the back of the space adding another layer to the maritime theme of the space. The legendary sea monster serves as a main feature in the bar, and will be sure to make any impression of any bar-goer.
For those who are drawn to the pub but not necessarily for the rum, then never fear. The Nelson is also fully stocked with beer, wine and other spirits. Enjoy a variety of shared plates of food, while sipping on your favourite drink and enjoying the atmosphere. So come, enjoy, and revel in the architecture goodness that Technē have succeeded in bringing to the pub scene once again. The Nelson is sure to become a favourite with locals and tourists alike. Photography Tom Blachford
