Best of Hospitality Projects.   2024 Archive Edition

As we continue our 2024 retrospective, we’re diving into the deliciously diverse world of hospitality design. In the post-Covid world (when do we get to stop saying that, btw?), the best hospitality venues managed to push creative boundaries while cultivating meaningful connections.

Australia’s 2024 Eat Drink Design Awards highlighted five distinct design narratives emerging across Australia’s hospitality landscape: Out-of-This-World Design, Heritage with a Twist, Moody and Intimate spaces, Your Cool Friend’s House vibes, and Regional Rockstars. These themes resonated globally, from Sant Ambroeus’s brutalist-meets-cosy coffee bar in Aspen to Lyon’s cave-like Bloma Caillou, which introduced a striking new ornamental vocabulary to the city’s hospitality scene.

We’ve witnessed a remarkable fusion of cultural influences, from Korean makgeolli bars in Singapore to Italian-inspired sanctuaries like Stella Restaurant in West Hollywood, where mid-century aesthetics meet classic Italian warmth. Even corporate dining has been revolutionised, with projects like the Volkswagen cafeteria redesign proving that unlikely spaces can be transformed into cheerful, design-forward destinations.

This year’s standout venues demonstrate an increasing emphasis on creating multi-layered experiences that transcend their primary function. From De Witt’s cinema-meets-bistro in Amsterdam to cafes designed as vibrant social hubs for digital nomads, these spaces redefine what we expect from our gathering places.

Settle in as we tour some of the most innovative and inspiring hospitality venues of 2024.

See All Yellowtrace 2024 Archives Here.

Explore our archives through the years: 2023 Archive / 2022 Archive / 2021 Archive / 2020 Archive / 2019 Archive / 2018 Archive / 2017 Archive / 2016 Archive / 2015 Archive / 2014 Archive / 2013 Archive / 2012 Archive / 2011 Archive / 2010 Archive.

Like Inside of a Coffee Bean: Ido & Friends Cafe by Aurora Design.

A serene sanctuary comes to life in Shanghai where Aurora Design takes a conceptual approach to the coffee experience. In an unexpected twist, the designers have created a café interior inspired by the layered structure of coffee beans, using soft curves and warm materials to craft spaces that feel both cozy and contemporary…

A Different Kind of Après-ski: Sant Ambroeus Coffee Bar in Aspen by Giampiero Tagliaferri.

Aspen has long been the destination that offers more than slaloming and slopes, so it is no surprise that the Sant Ambroeus hospitality group decided to expand their brand to this town. Who better to bring that Milanese feel, than Los…

Hard Rock Cafe: Bloma Studio’s Caillou in Lyon’s Historic Quarter.

Drawing inspiration from Albert Frey’s Californian houses, Caillou café in Lyon mediates between raw rock formations and architectural elements. Bloma founders Jeremy Frenot and Julian Spagnolo have created an environment where mineral…

Now Showing: De Witt in Dordrecht by Studio Modijefsky.

It’s often not a single moment of revelation that leads to the burst of excitement and inspiration so often brought on by good design, but rather, a collective of moments and measures that have been orchestrated so clearly and…

Light On Tap: Modus Brewery in Newcastle by Prevalent.

It’s not often that the word ‘tranquil’ comes to mind when describing a brewery, yet for this reimagined post-war shed in Newcastle, Prevalent managed to achieve an elusive sense of serenity. Centred around the need of the user and driven…

Durability and Rarity: Pan Milano by Studio Wok.

Embodying themes of durability and rarity, Jade is a stone that represents lasting beauty. For their design of Pan Milano—a hybrid bakery, restaurant and bar—Studio Wok seamlessly translate these themes into the new neighbourhood…

Six Hospitality Interiors that Prove Less is More.

We’re used to wine-and-dine spots emulating the energy that is often associated with the activity itself, so it makes it all the more impressive when the interior manages to capture the sophisticated serenity of the experience in a very…

Seoul’s Coffee Culture Finds a Home in Paris at Café Shin.

Conceived by Uchronia studio for chef Julien Sebbag and pastry chef Shin Eun Jung, Café Shin combines traditional Korean architectural elements with contemporary French design. At its heart is a modern Hanok structure, while a hidden…

70s Soul Meets Modern Wholesome in Sydney’s Coolest New Hangout, Superfreak Marrickville.

Serving up style with a side of soul! Discover Superfreak, where buttery yellow walls meet avocado green accents, and vintage finds create the perfect backdrop for your morning coffee ritual. This is possibly coolest new kid on Sydney’s…

Common Breads: MA Studio’s Fresh Take on Lebanese Street Food in London.

A new London bakery by MA Studio, Common Breads brings the flavours and atmosphere of Beirut’s streets to the UK capital. Inspired by the traditional Levantine bread Kaak, this immersive space near Victoria Station blends Lebanese…

Four Unique Coffee Shops to Break Your Doom Scroll.

Ever walked into a coffee shop on the other side of the world and had the eerie feeling you’ve been there before? No longer just the hallmarks of Starbucks, homogeneous designed cafes can be found all over the world—yet these venues…

This Dreamlike Noodle House by Office AIO Redefines Fast-casual Dining.

In Chongqing’ bustling alleys of Eighteen Stairs, a renowned noodle chain with over 1,000 locations has taken a bold step to revitalise its brand image. Office AIO cleverly redefined the concept of a façade by pushing the boundary…

Italian Charm Meets Modern Artistry at Bitter Sweetie Dessert Shop by All Design Studio.

In the heart of the Tianjin Italian style quarter, Bitter Sweetie dessert shop represents a blend of history, art and culinary delight. Conceived by All Design Studio, this charming space captures the essence of Italian architecture…

Out of This World, But Very Much Grounded: Dome at Desa Potato Head in Bali.

Dome restaurant at Desa Potato Head in Bali reimagines dining spaces as hubs for culture and sustainability. The OMA-designed venue blends futuristic aesthetics with traditional Balinese elements. Beyond its culinary offerings, Dome hosts…

Burnt Beauty: Nice Projects’ Odem Elevates Korean Cuisine in Singapore.

In Singapore’s New Bahru creative cluster, a new hospitality venue by Nice Projects celebrates contemporary Korean cuisine, craft, and design. Odem, a makgeolli bar and restaurant, offers a unique experience that blends traditional Korean…

Ubud’s Farm-to-table Restaurant Offers a Fusion of European Cheese-making and Indonesian Design.

Brie Restaurant redefines culinary experiences by blending French gastronomy with Balinese craftsmanship. With the island’s only in-house cheesery, Brie sources milk from its Java farm, embodying farm-to-table philosophy. The design by…

Design Innovation Shines at 2024 Australian Interior Design Awards.

The Australian Interior Design Awards have illuminated the pinnacle of design excellence, reflecting the industry’s thriving and evolving nature. With categories spanning residential, retail, hospitality, public, workplace, and…

A Star is Born: Stella Restaurant in West Hollywood by Wendy Haworth Studio.

By drawing inspiration from mid-century Milan and interpreting it through a modern lens, Wendy Haworth Studio has created a dining destination that transports guests while remaining connected to its West Hollywood location. We’ve seen…

French Excellence in New York: Villa Albertine Atelier by Hugo Toro.

With views over Central Park on New York’s Upper East Side, the historic Payne Whitney House is a relic monument to the Gilded Age. The five-storey building is now home to Villa Albertine, a French institution for artistic and…

A Subterranean Feast for the Senses: Good Luck Restaurant Lounge in Sydney’s CBD.

Tucked away in the basement of Sydney’s historic Burns Philp & Co Building, Good Luck Restaurant Lounge is serving up a delicious slice of nostalgia with a contemporary touch. The sprawling 200-seat venue is a love letter to 1970s…

A Corporate Cafeteria That Turns a Lunch Break into a Design Experience.

Goodbye, boring corporate cafeteria, hello, Beef Club! Ester Bruzkus Architekten have unveiled their sizzling new design for Volkswagen’s campus restaurant. Think open kitchens, brick fireplaces, and even salt as a building material.

A Little Taste (get it?) of Australia’s Most Beautiful Hospitality Interiors.

From otherworldly bars to intimate restaurants and regional gems, this year’s selection of Australia’s most beautifully designed hospitality venues reflects the industry’s resilience and creativity. The Eat Drink Design Awards jury notes.

See All Yellowtrace 2024 Archives Here.

Explore our archives through the years: 2023 Archive / 2022 Archive / 2021 Archive / 2020 Archive / 2019 Archive / 2018 Archive / 2017 Archive / 2016 Archive / 2015 Archive / 2014 Archive / 2013 Archive / 2012 Archive / 2011 Archive / 2010 Archive.