lyf is a ‘next generation’ hotel concept designed to foster a sense of community among guests through such features as a communal kitchen, shared workspaces, laundrette, social spaces and more, as well as studio and two-bed accommodation offerings, custom-designed to suit both leisure and corporate travellers.

Fun, artistic and practical elements, such as tiled inlays in the lobby to highlight waiting areas, as well as cheeky ‘sign-lighting’, serve to add bold colour and personality to the communal spaces, while assisting with wayfaring.

These spaces invite the public to engage with the building and help stitch it into the fabric of the neighbourhood. Guests want authenticity and community — they want somewhere to stay that is vibrant, colourful and alive, and much more than just somewhere to sleep.

Collingwood is renowned for its urban vibe and fabulous street art, which is why we decided to seek out – and work alongside – the innovative and renowned London-born, Melbourne-based street artist, Mysterious Al, to bring a genuinely artistic ‘Collingwood context’ to the development.

Collaborating with Mysterious Al enabled us to combine our talents to inject exciting colour, personality and energy into the hotel’s exterior and interior spaces.

Bold colours were chosen for fittings, fixtures and equipment, as well as the rooms, with the aim of energising guests, while linking the design to the playful experience of the hotel and the quirky neighbouring streets of the site.

Each hotel room was strategically planned to provide guests with the maximum possible floor area and a surprising sense of spaciousness.

This was delivered through an exaggerated ceiling height in most rooms, as well as opportunities for guests to bring their own style to their room, thanks to suspended hanging rails and features that allow for personal customisation and endless colour opportunities.

Strato Melbourne crowns the Oakwood Premier Hotel at level 40, with unparalleled views across the Melbourne city skyline and out to Port Phillip Bay. The statement Strato bar and terrace are complemented by two further bars in a VIP area and in the adjoining fine dining Strato restaurant.

Our brief for the Strato design was to create an ‘elevated experience’. Its unique location 140 metres high in the sky provides a spectacular backdrop, harnessed by the design and enveloping the visitor.

Upon arrival, the visitor is immersed in a 360 degree live digital display, playing live images of the external environment, evoking a sense of flying. Moving through to the Strato bar, there is a playful juxtaposition between the interior and exterior – with opulent furnishings and soft lighting complementing the main attraction: the view.

A central back-lit bar crafted from solid glass blocks provides an atmospheric main feature and soft light source. Darker tones and sophisticated styling combine with a carefully designed lighting strategy in order to minimise glass reflections and remove the visual boundaries between the user and the view, further enhancing the feeling of being amongst the clouds.

Oakwood, Southbank in Melbourne is a 40 storey luxe hotel comprising a 6 storey podium that includes retail, communal and public spaces, back-of–house hotel operational facilities and car parking. The level 6 podium and terrace includes a gym, co-working and recreational spaces, a boardroom and outdoor terraces.

Iconic Melbourne landmarks heavily influenced the vision for the interior design and complemented the building architecture. The client brief allowed for unrestricted creativity, which resulted in commissioning artist, Mika Utzon Popov, to create a tactile 3D vertical lobby entrance wall installation. Popov’s work was inspired by Melbourne’s Yarra River and provides an awe-inspiring entrance. The installation ties to the driveway waterfall wall that incorporates a pattern of the Yarra River from a bird's-eye view, captivating visitors as they enter and setting a scene for the Oakwood experience.

This incredible arrival experience continues to the luxe porte cochere leading to the grand lobby and wine bar. Above, there’s a state-of-the-art conference centre, gym, dining rooms and Grand Hall. Sitting atop the 392 suites is the jewel in the crown; a 360 degree Skybar offering unparalleled views of the city skyline and Port Phillip Bay. Oakwood has a contemporary and modern aesthetic, combining a sense of grandeur with a design approach that is inherently suited to the culture of Melbourne.

SORA Interior Architecture and Design, in collaboration with Life Architecture and Urban Design and Torsello Architettura, were delighted to unveil il Mercato Centrale Melbourne in September 2024. As the first international iteration of Italy’s renowned Mercato Centrale, this project showcases the synergy between Italian culinary heritage and Melbourne’s unique design ethos.

Located at 546 Collins Street within the iconic McPherson Art Deco building, our interiors breathe new life into this 1934 structure. Retaining its heritage charm, we crafted a dynamic, multi-level marketplace featuring 35 artisanal vendors, cafés, an upmarket restaurant, and a dedicated community space. The design prioritises spatial flow and connectivity, ensuring visual linkages between stalls to foster interaction and exploration.

Our interiors pay homage to authenticity while embracing Melbourne’s distinctive character. Textured materials, such as exposed brickwork, concrete finishes, and original beams, lend a raw, industrial elegance that complements the city’s urban landscape. We addressed structural challenges, like varied floor levels, by transforming them into integral design elements that enhance the overall experience.

Collaboration was at the heart of this project. We worked closely with Torsello Architettura to translate the spirit of the Italian markets into a Melbourne context, while customising spaces to meet the specific needs of each artisan vendor. From pizza ovens to display areas, every detail was thoughtfully designed to support their craft and create a cohesive marketplace.

For us, this project is about more than design—it’s about cultivating a community. The stalls are connected visually and functionally, fostering relationships among vendors and creating a shared narrative that enhances the customer journey.

Il Mercato Centrale Melbourne invites patrons to savor Italian cuisine in a setting that balances tradition and modernity, providing an immersive experience that celebrates both its Italian roots and its Melbourne identity.