KE-ZU Hearts - Luchetti Krelle

If you like wining and dining you’ll undoubtedly know the visionary work of Luchetti Krelle, a Sydney-based architecture and interior design practice leaving an indelible mark on the Australian design scene. From casino restaurants to basement bars, diners to patisseries, food courts to airports, and heritage hotels to beach cafes, Luchetti Krelle is accruing a long list of high profile – and award-winning – hospitality projects. Rachel Luchetti and Stuart Krelle founded the design practice in 2008 and have since focused primarily on the hospitality sector building an extensive portfolio of highly frequented and attention-grabbing restaurants and bars. From the industrial and stripped-back Acme and subtly sophisticated Bar Brosé to the vibrant 1950s Skyline Drive-in Diner, Luchetti Krelle’s work brims with elegance, precision and ambience. “We pride ourselves on our ability to work with varied eras, genres and design movements,” the pair explains. And fortunately it’s not just Sydney being graced with Luchetti Krelle-designed spaces as Saké, Fat Noodle and Kiyomi showcase the studio’s creativity, vision and expertise in Queensland and Victoria. Luchetti Krelle recently turned their talented hands to the redevelopment of the MLC Centre Food Court and Plaza. Set in the subterranean space of one of Sydney’s most iconic towers – the MLC Centre designed by the late great architect Harry Seidler in the 1970s – this is certainly not your standard food court. The well-established meeting and eating spot now has a refreshed layout intended to accommodate increased foot traffic and pedestrian flow. It is designed to be robust and durable, yet light and spacious, with an undulating timber ceiling and off-form concrete joinery highlighted with marble and brass. Luchetti Krelle softened the space with perforated metals that provide a sense of delicacy and lightness, which also includes the white and turquoise EMU Ivy chairs designed by Paola Navone. Airy and minimalist, the ergonomic mesh design of the outdoors range offers light and playful accents of colour throughout the plaza. Like the MLC Centre, The Tilbury Hotel in Sydney’s Woolloomooloo is an architectural institution. Luchetti Krelle gave the historic pub, which dates back to the 1800s, it’s latest refresh with an update that stays true to its existing elements and the success of its previous refurbishment. With a focus on quality and comfort, the interior is now light, fresh and sophisticated with soft pastels, gold brass and timbers. “It’s the little details that you should notice,” says Rachel, including Parachilna’s ABALLS pendants designed by Jaime Hayon adorning the bar and EMU’s outdoor chairs seated around the ‘monkey-bar’ tables in the courtyard. At Sydney International Airport, Bridge Bar is the newest destination for jet-setters. The airport has undergone a mass refurbishment in recent years and Luchetti Krelle’s Bridge Bar is a warm and welcoming oasis. Under the radiating timber-slat ceiling, ENEA’s Lottus Wood stools take their place at the bar while Sancal’s Nido armchairs feature alongside. With an inspirational and unequalled approach to design that privileges warmth, comfort and visual interest, Luchetti Krelle is certainly one architecture and interior design practice to watch. See more of Luchetti Krelle projects below; The Tilbury Hotel