In Profile: Luchetti Krelle
Published
By
jesse
With a strong portfolio of hospitality projects, Stuart Krelle and Rachel Luchetti of interior design firm Luchetti Krelle are changing the way we dine and drink.
They’ve created unique and intimate spaces across Sydney, including The Argyle and The Cut Bar & Grill in the Rocks and Lo-Fi and Bootleg Bar in the inner east – each with its own distinctive style and ambience.
Rachel Luchetti spoke to Indesignlive about designing for hospitality and the Luchetti Krelle approach.
How would you describe your design aesthetic?
Luchetti Krelle does not have what you’d call a signature style. We pride ourselves on our ability to work within varied eras, genres and design movements. The client’s response to images that we show them will often influence our design direction.

Bootleg
What would you say your signature hospitality project is – one that most encapsulates the Luchetti Krelle philosophy?
Our most well-known and recognised project would probably be Sake Restaurant, however we feel that projects like Kings Vault (the pop up bar we did for Tourism Victoria on a shoe string budget) equally encapsulates our design philosophy. In both of these projects we custom designed most things including some furniture and lighting.
By being clever about material choices and construction methods you can save the client money whilst creating something unique that you won’t see popping up at another restaurant or bar down the road.



How is the changing bar scene in Sydney influencing hospitality design and opportunities for designers?
The bar scene is so hard to keep up with these days. There are so many small bars popping up all over the place and it’s great to see them succeeding for the most part.
There are certainly more opportunities for young designers to get involved but there are also many bar owners doing the design themselves and doing a great job.

Lo-Fi
Do you see any key trends in Australian hospitality design at the moment? Are there future trends that you anticipate will hit our shores soon?
It has become apparent that the spaces that work the best aren’t necessarily the ones that have had the most expensive fit-outs. Warmth, comfort and visual interest wins hands down over modern minimalism these days and open kitchens with the celebrity chef on show have replaced the kitchen out the back.
As far as future trends go we think there will be more high tech gadgets for ordering and the chefs will step off the stage and take the show to your table. Design will need to accommodate this shift in service and the increase in theatrical cooking and presentation methods.

The Argyle
Read more about Luchetti Krelle in Issue 45 of Indesign Magazine.
Luchetti Krelle
luchettikrelle.com
Related Articles

Events
A rollicking good story with Richards Stanisich and Royal Oak Floors
Jonathan Richards and Kirsten Stanisich discussed practice, design process and the business of running a studio at a live audience event hosted by Royal Oak Floors in Sydney.

Events
Indesign x Wilkhahn: Melbourne, where are you working?
Our latest collaboration saw a range of designers come together at Wilkhahn’s Melbourne showroom for a discussion on the workplace dynamics specific to the Victorian capital.

Events
“A journey into a whole new material world”: Plant Life at the NGV
Curator Ewan McEoin tells us about the NGV’s new exhibition on plant-based materials as alternatives to plastics, synthetic materials and other non-renewable resources.

Events
The inaugural Coastal Design Assembly is about to make landfall in Sydney
Sophie Lanigan, organiser of a new event centring on Sydney’s relationship to water, tells us what the event’s all about, who it’s for and why it matters today.