Creating Mood And Messaging With Light Feast Of Merit Cafe

THE BUSTLING, THRIVING CAFÉ CULTURE OF SWAN STREET IN RICHMOND, MELBOURNE, HAS WELCOMED A NEW KID TO THE BLOCK – WITH A REAL FEEL-GOOD FACTOR. PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY LIGHT PROJECT WITH A SERIES OF HOSPITALITY LIGHT SOLUTIONS TO FIT A FOUR-TIERED BRIEF, FEAST OF MERIT IS A CAFE, RESTAURANT AND BAR INITIATIVE FROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISE GROUP YGAP.  ALL PROCEEDS AND PROFITS FROM THE CAFÉ ARE CHANNELED BACK TO AID PROJECTS FOCUSED ON YOUTH EDUCATION INITIATIVES IN COUNTRIES INCLUDING RWANDA, GHANA AND CAMBODIA.

Local salvaged timbers, reconfigured found items and donated materials have become banquette seats, screens, bar fronts and more. They inject the space with layers of texture, history and personality, while at the same instilling an honest, relaxed feel.

“Each piece tells a story and supports the ‘feel-good’ nature of the project,” Elena adds.

The brief for the lighting design was a combination of four key components: It needed to be cost-effective and hard-wearing; it was important that the overall concept echoed the Feast of Merit ethos of simplicity and rawness; it had to work with an exposed ceiling; and it needed to create a suitable mood across breakfast, lunch and dinner services.

“The team at Light Project were so amazingly helpful,” says Elena. “They understood exactly what we were looking for from the first meeting.”

Dimmable Eddison-style globes on black cords were the simple, neat response to the brief. By making all fittings dimmable, the mood can easily be adjusted to work at all times of the day and make the restaurant warm and inviting.

Simplicity is extended outside with directional external lighting dramatically highlighting the huge custom street art, created by 90 Degrees, that has been installed down one side of the building.

“What’s been amazing is the support shown by local suppliers and trades of the project. That’s exactly what Feast of Merit is about – the distribution of wealth, engaging the community and celebrating humanity,” says Elena.

“So many people shared our vision and came to the party by donating time or resources like Light Project did.”