88 Melbourne | CHARD International | Australian Open

Creative Director, Gary Chard, has three decades of experience creating exciting interior spaces. Our approach involves more than superficial decoration. While well-considered aesthetics remain at the heart of our work, we believe effortless functionality is just as important to an environment’s impact and enjoyment.

Projects are guided by a consistent methodology: thorough research, interaction, feedback, collaboration and strategic design delivering sustainable and engaging outcomes that are always innovative and timeless. Much of our work is event based, so we are experts in interpreting and translating brands into 3D experiences.

CHARD has worked closely with the Australian Open for 15 years, bringing their corporate hospitality spaces to life. We consider everything the guest sees, smells and hears, to create immersive, fully engaging spaces. The ten pop up corporate spaces at this years Australian Open ranged from exclusive VIP experiences to large restaurants accessible to the public.

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88 Restaurant

Australian Open 2019

The brief was for 88 to have a premium focus, with a subdued colour palette, inspired by top restaurants from around the world. The venue challenged the brief, at 740 square metres and with a ceiling height of 6m, it was both bland and vast.

Using floor to ceiling drapes CHARD created a versatile restaurant catering for 424 guests in a range of group sizes, achieving an ultimate sense of luxury and intimacy.

Client: Tennis Australia

Build: Flipside Design

Photographer: Armelle Habib

Furniture: Dann Event Hire and Harry the Hirer

Custom Lighting: MXC Project

Florals: Ignacio Canales Aracil

Planting: Nathan Burkett Design

Drapes: Annette Saker