An Artistic Endeavour: Untitled in Richmond by Flack Studio.

A neighbourhood institution in Melbourne’s Richmond that needs no name, Untitled by Flack Studio feels like a place you could while away an afternoon, host a big dinner or find yourself at by the end of the night—in this way, it is seamless.

A collaboration between friends, Untitled is an artistic endeavour three years in the making. Sitting comfortably at the crossroads between art, design and food, owners David Abela, Daniel Vid and Andrew Ryan enlisted Team Flack to bring their decadent vision to life.

With a European mindset, art plays a role throughout the interior — as the tongue in cheek name might suggest — paying homage to the art convention of naming pieces ‘Untitled’. The greats are referenced such as Alvar Aalto and Gae Aluenti through curves and organic forms while Flack asks the question of context with noble materials rubbing shoulders with those considered less so in one fluid space.

But don’t take our word for it. Hear it from the man himself, as we hand it over to David Flack, because — who can say it better?

Related: Robin Boyd’s Pettigrew Residence in Melbourne Transformed by Flack Studio.

+Hey David, can you tell us a little about how did you become involved with this project?

We had regularly run into the owners of Untitled, David Abela, Daniel Vid and Andrew Ryan, at neighbourhood Art openings and would find ourselves talking about Art, design and food. We would often talk about the need to collaborate together.

+What was the client brief, and some of your key sources of inspiration?

The brief was to create a neighbourhood institution. The space is confident, simple, textural and vibrant—all traits the food and service combined. The interior draws upon all strengths of European architects of the past and present.

+What’s your favourite thing about this project?

There are many details within the space that we love—however, we have designed all the feature lighting within the space. Each level has one feature sconce which has undulating arms with perforated forms referencing Italian 50s lighting.

Related: IN BED’s First Melbourne Store by Flack Studio.

+What informed the selection of furniture, fittings and finishes and art?

The space explores contradicting notions of design — through the materiality and form — an exploration of finished and unfinished, raw and polished and opposing forms that are not often seen together. A play and dance between high and low materials — studded rubber, meets polished blue mirror to hand-rubbed aged brass. A series of interconnecting forms and curves — referencing Finnish architect Alvar Alto and Italian great Gae Aluenti.

+What aspect of this project are you most proud of?

Art is a huge part of our studios practice and spaces — it’s important to get the right art and artist that is perfect for the space — I want this to become infamous and reveal the unexpected. We have commissioned artist Gregory Hodge from Sullivan and Strumpf Gallery for the ground floor and Lucina Lane from Sarah Cottier Gallery for level one.

+Would you have done anything differently?

We believe the idea we present in the concept stage is always the strongest. We then develop — our work is also like a canvas. We continue to paint this all the way through the duration of the build, building upon our documentation and intent within the studio and beyond.

Related: Flack Studio HQ in Fitzroy is a Celebration of Design, Art & Craftsmanship.

[Images courtesy of Flack Studio. Photography by Anson Smart.]