PROTAGONIST Opens at Arts Centre Melbourne
Broadway World Australia, November 13th, 2019
Arts Centre Melbourne's dramatic new forecourt café and bar, Protagonist, designed by Cumulus Studio, will officially open to the public on Friday, November 15 2019. Sitting beneath Arts Centre Melbourne's spire and alongside popular St Kilda Road, the former pop-up coffee cart and then café Cento, has been transformed into an innovative and sophisticated venue.
Featuring ground-breaking architecture from Cumulus Studio, winners of Arts Centre Melbourne's 2018 design competition, Protagonist is defined by striking architectural mesh. The café is enveloped by a distinctive bronze curtain of Kaynemaile, a futuristic fire and UV resistant polycarbonate chainmail mesh originally developed as chainmail for the Lord of the Rings films. The recyclable polycarbonate was created by Lord of the Rings set designer Kayne Horsham who was practiced in the art of designing and creating chainmail during his work on the fantasy trilogy.
The design plays on the iconic and universally understood element of the theatre curtain as a device to signify 'open' and 'closed' and the uncovering or bringing out aspects of the theatre which are hidden behind the solid walls of the State Theatre. The adjustable exterior, inspired by theatre curtains, will be raised as the café opens in the morning and then lowered at night to signify the end of service.
"Protagonist is wrapped by a chainmail curtain which physically opens and closes each day; inspired by the red curtain and fly tower within Arts Centre Melbourne's theatres. The colour is a reference to the centre's landmark spire,'' says Cumulus Studio Director Keith Westbrook.
"The structure is completely free-standing with concrete counterweights concealed within the plinth-like counter. Each side of the counter is utilised for different needs - café, ticketing, bar and seating area - and is clad with mirrored stainless steel to reflect the colours of the surrounding heritage paving."
