Blurring the line between dessert bar and listening lounge, AIR Design Studio delivers a modular, low-waste fit-out where sound, sustainability and social ritual take centre stage.

Smashing the mould of the traditional ice cream retailer, Kōri Windsor is a sophisticated hybrid where tunes and ice cream co-exist in perfect harmony.

All Kōri shops reflect their place – Hawthorn channels a Japanese aesthetic, while Melbourne’s CBD is more industrial grit, however, the Windsor location is akin to a lounge hangout with sustainability and design flexibility inbuilt.

Guided by a ‘use less’ philosophy, Janine Kariyawasam, Head of Design, AIR Design Studio and lead on the project and her team, have conceived a space that pays homage to reuse and sustainability through clever design and material choices.

“We wanted this to feel like a neighbourhood local that just happens to sell amazing ice cream. By designing the fit-out to be as removable as furniture, we’re respecting the building’s history and ensuring nothing goes to waste,” comments Kariyawasam. “It’s a space tuned specifically for Windsor, but built to last a lifetime, wherever it ends up.”

The space has been transformed using modular pieces that can be easily moved or even relocated. The refrigeration units are a feature of the project and, clad with stainless steel on all four sides, become more like sculptures in a gallery than units for dispensing ice cream. Should they ever need to be removed, all that is required is to cut off the power and plumbing and they can be lifted out, reinstalled or even utilised as a mobile asset.

In keeping with the idea of modularity, the raw cork vertical wall surfaces have been kept in standard sizes to eliminate cutting waste, easily unclipped for future use.

While a visit to Kōri Windsor is primarily about the ice cream, the added attraction is the musical vibe curated by the in-house DJ. In collaboration with Pitt & Gibbon, who supplied the speakers, the acoustics for the room were designed before any acoustic panels were installed.

To ensure excellent reproduction, the system is supported by a modular acoustic ceiling system that can also be dismantled and repurposed if required. While the various flavours of ice cream will feed the body, the music will definitely nurture the soul.

“Good sound is everything in a space. You can’t build a great listening room without getting the acoustics right first. Pitt & Giblin actually won’t even sell you their speakers unless you can prove the acoustics are up to scratch,” says Kariyawasam. “In hospitality, it’s a non-negotiable, it’s about making sure the music sounds incredible while ensuring the room stays comfortable enough for real connection.”

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Continuing the very individual design aesthetic, there is a photo booth for patrons who wish to document their visit with a freshly minted portrait. While it’s a fun inclusion, it adds to the experience when visiting Kōri Windsor. The mirror ball that hangs from the ceiling near the DJ’s area is also a great addition, adding a retro touch to the design theme.

With a polished concrete and inset cobalt blue patterned floor, wild ice cream decals and pops of vibrant red, Kōri Windsor stands out from the crowd and offers a place that is decidedly different from anywhere else. The layered and thoughtful interior design of this establishment is a credit to AIR, as usually retail fit-outs discard and build with little thought for reuse.

“Retail design demands a shift in accountability. We have to be better at creating solutions that are removable or easy to relocate. A store can look beautiful, but if it ends up in a skip because a lease runs out, that waste is partly on us as designers,” explains Kariyawasam. “By designing for mobility, we give our clients more than just a look – we give them an asset.”

Marking the third iteration of Kōri shops, the project beautifully encapsulates the brand of the Japanese-inspired ice cream studio that produces small batch flavours for a discerning clientele. While the ice cream is crafted with care and imagination, the interior of Kōri Windsor has been expertly realised with an original and innovative vision.

“Kōri Windsor called for a new expression and, in response, we shaped a design that speaks directly to its local demographic – one that deliberately departs from the conventions of the typical ice cream retail environment,” reflects Eid Goh, director of AIR Design Studio. “In this context, retail must remain inherently adaptive, able to evolve with place and audience.”

So, when there is a craving for ice cream, the best vinyl sounds and perhaps even a photo booth moment, the only place to go is Kōri Windsor.

AIR Design Studio
airdesignstudio

Photography
Sharyn Cairns