Designed by Cumulus Studio, Protagonist cafe and bar is nestled in the historic arts precinct on St Kilda Rd, Melbourne next to the National Gallery of Victoria and the State Theatre.

Previously Cento cafe—the beloved but ageing cafe that had been in place since 2000 wasn’t in keeping with its grand neighbours and needed its own unique identity. In April 2018 Cumulus Studio won Arts Centre Melbourne’s design competition to redesign the iconic cafe, creating a unique and memorable cafe on par with the best in Melbourne.

The design needed to create a relationship between the cafe and Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building, a site of important heritage value. The forecourt on which Cento sits is a key entry point for visitors so it was important that the design balanced the need for the cafe to have its own identity, while not competing with, challenging or obstructing views to the Theatres Building.

Cumulus Studio won the competition with their entry. Protagonist takes the form of theatre inspired curtains made of Bronze Kaynemaile mesh which completely encloses the cafe. The curtains are raised during cafe opening hours using a system of cables that sit under the canopy and then lowered when the cafe is closed at night.

"Protagonist is wrapped by a chainmail curtain which physically opens and closes each day; inspired by the curtain and fly tower within Arts Centre Melbourne's theatres. The colour is a reference to the centre's landmark spire.’’

—Cumulus Studio director Keith Westbrook

The Kaynemaile mesh not only provides a bold and eye-catching surround for the cafe but is multifunctional, forming a screen at night on which visuals can be projected to market upcoming events.

Being fire and UV resistant polycarbonate Kaynemaile was an obvious choice for this project. The strength and durability of Kaynemaile were crucial to enable the screen to be regularly raised and lowered.

A giant café shaped liftable screen might not seem ‘standard’ to most manufacturers however Kaynemaile’s collaborative approach at the design stage ensured the concept could be realised. Our Special Project Manager, Aaron Te One describes the team’s approach; “The concept seemed straight forward enough. Once we had quickly prototyped a few elements we could easily work through the key issues with Keith and his team at Cumulus. These kind of projects don’t come along that often and for us it highlights that we aren’t just a ‘manufacturer’”.

The Protagonist’s contemporary, functional design and gleaming Bronze exterior make a big statement and it is now right at home among the historic and stately buildings of St Kilda Road.

Project Details

Project ‘Protagonist’ cafe and bar, Arts Centre Melbourne
Architect Cumulus Studio
Location Melbourne, Australia
Photography Sean Fennessy

Mesh Colour Bronze

In the Media

ArchitectureAU: Cumulus Studio designs golden chainmail pavilion for Roy Grounds’s Arts Centre

Broadway World Australia: Protagonist Opens at Arts Centre Melbourne

ArchitectureAU: New Arts Centre Cafe Sheathed in Bronze Curtain

Awards

2020 VIC AIA Architecture Awards: Winner of the Award for Small Project Architecture

2020 Eat Drink Design Awards: Shortlisted for ‘Best Installation Design’ category