
Le Velo, or “The Bike” in French, is a two-story café and community haven for cycling enthusiasts. Situated in Wentworth Point, an area famous for its extensive bike paths, the client emphasised the need for a fit-out that maximised its appeal to cyclists while also integrating some inner-city and artistic flair. The open-plan café area on the ground floor allows customers to relax in a casual dining setting, which is seamlessly connected to the outdoor dining patio.
Designed as both a destination and a pit stop for passers-by, a second opening was created off the main bar to prevent take-away customers from traversing the in-door dining space. Inside, the exposed ceiling is spray-painted light blue, drawing the eye up to the retail level above and anchoring the space to the outdoors and neighbouring shoreline. "Pushies," the bike repair store located on the first floor, is a dedicated retail and workshop area for the cycling community. Additional seating on this level provides café patrons with another vantage point to view the harbour, made possible by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Materials such as brushed brass, cast concrete, and clay tiles emphasise a refined yet industrial style of the space where local artists' works are featured.
First Nations artist Otis Hope Ceary's mural Where the River Meets the Ocean is a fitting piece and focal point of the café. This mural, along with other local artists' works creates a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere while also celebrating the landscape of the area.
Hospitality
Baywater Drive, Wentworth Point, 2127
2023
Revit
V-Ray
Photoshop
CATEGORY
PROJECT
YEAR
SOFTWARE
Le Volo Cafe
Le Velo lower dining area and gallery space
Wentworth Point is ideally positioned between Sydney's CBD, Parramatta's CBD, and Macquarie Park, creating a convenient living master plan.
The area is part of a carefully designed urban precinct near a growing business and retail hub, with further plans underway for the marina and conservation of the surrounding water, wetlands, and parklands.
Wentworth Point Precinct
LOCATION

-
Dedicate areas for bike repair, retail space, and community bike meeting zones
-
Atmosphere to be relaxed, casual and eclectic
-
Maximise the ceiling heights
-
Staircase design to emulate overall industrial style
-
Durable, low-maintenance materials; focus on recycled, sustainable materials
-
Space for local artist exhibitions; feature walls by Australian street artists
BRIEF
CLIENT
Sue (32) is an art collector specializing in Australia street art, and wants to use the new venue as a showcase for more local artists, including live events on the weekends. She is passionate about involving her local community in any venture she undertakes.
Andy (36) previously ran a coffee shop, bakery and fresh produce takeaway in Surry Hills.He’s realised that there is a huge demand for the convenience of a good pit stop and meeting place along a well-used cycling route.
Sue and Andy Baker
Summary of return brief

MATERIALITY

CONCRETE
| POLISHED


TUSCAN TERRACOTTA
| SUBWAY TILE
TASMANIAN OAK
| OSMO RAW



LOW VOC PAINT
| DUCK EGG BLUE
PERFORATED METAL SHEET
| POWDER COATED SAGE
METAL
| BRUSHED BRASS
Applied to floor
Alt-Surfaces
Applied around bar
ARTEDOMUS
Bespoke dining table
Mr & Mrs White
Applied to ceiling
Dulux
Applied to stairs
Southern Stairs
Applied to bar and joinery
LO & CO
PROPOSED STAIR SYSTEM
INSPIRATION AND MATERIAL

HARD AND SOFT
I was drawn to the perforated metal sheeting for its soft yet industrial feel. This material can be treated in various ways, and I appreciate the contrast between the hard metal sheeting and the soft, organic form of the timber handrail. Positioning the stairs along the back wall, parallel to the mural, enhances the dynamism of the space and draws additional attention to both the customised design of the stairs and the artwork.

COMMISSIONED ARTIST
OTIS HOPE CAREY
(HE/HIM)

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Otis Hope Carey is a contemporary Indigenous artist, working mainly in painting and sculpture. Otis’s work combines his traditional experience of storytelling and connection to Country and offers it to viewers through a new lens.
Otis has been commissioned on varying public spaces around NSW. A lot of his works are to do with the connection of land and ocean, which I felt was fitting for the Bellagio space, being that it is adjacent the Parramatta river, the traditional country of the Burramatta clan.

BUBBLE DIAGRAM

PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR

PROPOSED FIRST FLOOR


