The Rooftop Bar and Restaurant in Fitzroy is an adaptive reuse project that adds a new upper level to an existing building creating one of the earliest rooftop bar/ restaurants in Melbourne. Situated atop a structure exposed to wind and weather, the design works carefully with constraints of climate, structure, and heritage character, while maintaining a strong connection to the suburb’s urban fabric.

The restaurant and service areas are consolidated within a central core, allowing the surrounding exterior bar to open outward and frame expansive city and suburban views. Thick full-height glazing and retractable awnings provide shelter while preserving transparency, enabling the space to feel open and connected to the sky regardless of conditions. Spatial planning ensures circulation and sightlines are intuitive, enhancing the experience of both dining and leisure.

Materiality and texture are central to the design. Most materials are upcycled from the existing building, preserving its character while layering tactile finishes that respond to the outdoor setting. The resulting space is resilient and considered, balancing protection from the elements with openness, connection, and a quietly expressive materiality that honours both site and context.