Vogue Cafe
Sydney

Made with
Programa

Sydney, Australia2023-12-11

We interviewed Associates Callie van der Merwe, Calvin Janse van Vuuren & Roberto Zambri from COOOP, about their latest project, the Vogue Cafe.

COOOP Studio
Director Callie van der Merwe
Roberto Zambri Senior Associate
Calvin Janse van Vuuren Senior Associate
Peter Wang Client
Condé Nast Media Production
Vogue Australia Publication
Vogue Cafe Sydney Venue
Kera Wong Photographer

“Programa became crucial in our design and documentation process at COOOP for the Vogue Café Sydney.”
CALLIE VAN DER MERWE DIRECTOR

Explore our latest ‘Made with Programa’ as the team at COOOP, discusses the Vogue Cafe. Detailing the challenges, workflow, and the pivotal role Programa played from concept to completion.

How did you utilise Programa during the design/building process?

Programa became crucial in our design and documentation process at COOOP for the Vogue Café Sydney project. We started using Programa two years ago, integrating it into our design process to save and apply different finishes in rendering scenes. This approach allowed us to save specifications during design phases and have technical specs ready for review and documentation post-approval.

We added rendered images of artistic or custom items to the schedule, collaborating with procurement and design teams to determine construction methods.

What’s the overall concept and collaboration with Vogue? How did these styles meet?

The Vogue Café Sydney project is a collaboration between COOOP and Vogue to create a chic dining experience blending contemporary Australian cuisine with Vogue’s high-fashion aesthetic. This blend was achieved through meticulous craftsmanship, using elegant materials and innovative design solutions that reflect Vogue’s luxurious brand, tailored for the Australian market.

What feedback did you get on Programa? Did its use evolve during the project?

Feedback on Programa has been consistently positive. The use of Schedules and notification icons ensured efficient communication of changes. The small link icons directing team members to suppliers’ websites were particularly appreciated for their accessibility.

What challenges did you overcome from concept to completion, and how did Programa assist in this process?

Programa allowed us to be nimble, flexible, and adaptable, saving time by consolidating specifications and making schedules accessible for the design team. This accessibility facilitated quick decisions during construction, even when using just an iPad or phone. The tool’s efficiency was crucial in adapting designs to real-time site conditions.

“The use of Schedules ensured efficient communication of changes and reduced all back-and-forth with the client!”
CALVIN JANSE VAN VUURENSenior Associate

Can you share any specific examples where Programa has streamlined the specification process in your recent projects?

We have embraced the platform as a crucial link in our office operations. We utilize Programa right from our initial design briefing stages when we begin exploring project materials. Once the renders are complete, we move on to the documentation phase of the projects, during which the specifications often change for various reasons, such as cost, lead time, accessibility, and client preferences, to name a few. This is often where we encounter the most significant challenges, as the materials we require during the building phase may run out of stock or require adjustments along the way. The tool enables us to update the specifications and schedules on the fly, saving substantial time.

In our office, we prioritise transparency and a seamless workflow. Having our contacts accessible through the schedule with direct links to the suppliers we work with provides project teams with immediate access to these suppliers. This also saves significant time, as teams can approach suppliers directly for quotes or additional information without sending us large Request for Information (RFI) lists for standard items. We still receive RFIs for custom items; however, these always require more development and collaboration to get them right. (We can track our time effectively using the time tracking tool, which helps us understand how much time we spend on key tasks.)

“Programa allowed us to be nimble, flexible, and adaptable, saving time by consolidating specifications and making schedules accessible for the design team.”
ROBERTO ZAMBRISenior Associate

Design Brief and Unique Approach

The brief was to design a Vogue Café suitable for the Australian market, particularly Darling Harbour. The design features warmer tones with a pop of color, creating a distinct yet elegant ambiance. The space needed to incorporate soft furnishings and bespoke details, connecting with both local and international markets. The design integrates the latest fashion trends with classic traditional elements, biophilic design, and artisanal detailing, promoting luxury and sophistication.

Custom tiles were made to match the floral pattern from Vogue’s branding guide, and artwork was curated by Vogue Australia’s team, including Editorial Director Edwina McCann.

“Programa became crucial in our design and documentation process at COOOP for the Vogue Café Sydney project.”
ROBERT ZAMBRISenior Associate

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Vogue Cafe
Sydney

We interviewed Associates Callie van der Merwe, Calvin Janse van Vuuren & Roberto Zambri from COOOP, about their latest project, the Vogue Cafe.

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Try Programa for free with a 7 day trial

Vogue Cafe
Sydney

We interviewed Associates Callie van der Merwe, Calvin Janse van Vuuren & Roberto Zambri from COOOP, about their latest project, the Vogue Cafe.

Vogue CafeSydney

We interviewed Associates Callie van der Merwe, Calvin Janse van Vuuren & Roberto Zambri from COOOP, about their latest project, the Vogue Cafe.

Related articles

Try Programa for free with a 7 day trial

Vogue CafeSydney

We interviewed Associates Callie van der Merwe, Calvin Janse van Vuuren & Roberto Zambri from COOOP, about their latest project, the Vogue Cafe.

Vogue Cafe
Sydney

Vogue Cafe
Sydney