2023 Gallery
Winner: Best Retail Design
K.Holland Architectural Interiors for LeTAO
238 Swanston Street
Melbourne, VIC
Creating the flagship store of Letao Australia required a deep dive into the spirit of Japanese design to extract the essence of what Australians recognize as Japanese. The new store in Swanston Street Melbourne has given the Letao cheesecake brand a new face for its debut in the Western market.
Jury Citation
The Le Tao Australia flagship store in Melbourne radiates the soul of Japanese design. The space is defined by the seamless integration of Japanese minimalism, geometry and raw materials, and the result balances theatre and utility. The design narrative elevates Le Tao’s desserts into objects showcased like precious jewels throughout. Strategic lighting adds drama, orchestrating a luxurious experience that resonates with the brand story. The store’s narrow layout cleverly employs simple geometry to amplify space, while a monotone palette and carefully selected materials are counterpoints to the pastel-toned products. A hallmark of innovation emerges in the singular, multifunctional bench. It unifies diverse elements, enhancing staff efficiency and customer engagement – and acting as a beacon to draw patrons within. Le Tao demonstrates that profound impact can be forged in compact spaces. This project embodies artful retail design, underscoring the power of simplicity to connect people with products.
