D. Chirico Bakery

Key geometries and the language of a woven wicker basket inspired this Melbourne-based artisanal-bakery interior by March Studio.

The approach was about ‘celebrating the produce and demystifying retail,’ says architect Rodney Eggleston. A wavy CNC-cut plywood structure with flexible shelving pays homage to bread of various heights and depths. Its sculptural form, which also spans the ceiling, creates a visually enticing ‘sea of bread amidst an enormous basket.’

The studio’s interest in working with materials in their natural state, free of decorative adornment, is further evidenced by a distressed wall where peeling plaster was scraped back to reveal something of the building’s 1870s’ heritage.

While elevating bread retailing to a new level, baker D. Chirico’s second Melbourne venture aims to welcome – but not overwhelm – its customers.

Photos courtesy Peter Bennetts.