In the heart of Melbourne’s bustling CBD, Vinesmith stands as a testament to the power of craftsmanship, innovation, and design-led construction. Delivered by Indetail Projects, this tri-level hospitality venue seamlessly intertwines wine bar, retail, and dining experiences within a unified architectural story – earning it the title of National Interior Fitout of the Year at the 2025 Interior Fitout Awards.
What began as a bare base building tenancy has been transformed into a space that redefines the expectations of hospitality fitout. Indetail Projects was tasked with managing every element – from structural engineering and service coordination to complete in-house joinery manufacturing. The result is a project that not only performs functionally but also elevates construction to an art form.
A Structural Masterstroke
The defining gesture of Vinesmith is its striking timber ceiling grid, which at first glance appears to be an intricate architectural insert. In reality, it’s much more – the structural floor joists of the level above. These solid timbers were precision-machined, hand-sanded, and finished to furniture-grade quality, simultaneously supporting the new intermediate floor while concealing HVAC systems within.
This clever dual purpose – both structural and aesthetic – embodies the design’s philosophy of structural honesty. Rather than hiding the building’s workings, Vinesmith celebrates them, exposing craftsmanship that’s usually concealed. The timber grid brings rhythm and warmth to the space, while delivering acoustic and mechanical performance at the highest standard.
It’s this seamless integration of engineering and design that makes Vinesmith so distinctive. Few projects manage to blur the lines between architecture and construction with such refinement.
Materiality and Precision
Material detailing plays a starring role in establishing the tone of Vinesmith. Every surface has been custom-built and hand-finished, from the rich Black Bean Leaf veneer linings to the 25mm solid American walnut bar tops. The level of precision involved borders on obsession – each veneer panel was hand-selected, numbered, and matched for tonal consistency, while the walnut planks were graded individually and laid in sequence to maintain colour harmony across every plane.
The result is a visual flow that feels effortless yet deeply considered. The craftsmanship extends to the venue’s bespoke wine display systems, which are engineered with the same care as fine furniture. These precision-machined timber cradles feature individually concaved bottle recesses, reinforced with hidden steel for load-bearing strength. It’s an elegant balance of structure and beauty – every element has a purpose, yet nothing feels over-engineered.
This commitment to detail didn’t go unnoticed. The project also took home the 2024 National Cabinet Maker of the Year Award from the Australian Cabinet and Furniture Association (ACFA), acknowledging its exceptional craftsmanship and design execution.
Challenges That Defined the Outcome
Constructing a three-level venue within an existing tenancy came with formidable challenges. The introduction of an intermediate floor – the key to Vinesmith’s tri-level layout – required precision structural work within tight spatial and regulatory constraints. Each exposed timber joist had to meet stringent load-bearing, acoustic, and visual standards, demanding millimetre-perfect machining and installation.
Integrating services into the visible ceiling grid added another layer of complexity. HVAC ducting, acoustic treatments, and lighting all needed to be carefully concealed within restricted spaces without disrupting the clean lines of the design. This level of coordination demanded extensive pre-planning and meticulous cross-trade collaboration.
Material consistency was another demanding aspect. Maintaining uniform tone and grain across large expanses of timber required not just technical skill, but also an intuitive understanding of the materials themselves. Indetail’s in-house joinery and manufacturing capabilities were critical in achieving the uncompromising standards set by the design team.
Through every stage, the project relied on Indetail’s craft-based construction philosophy – an approach that values the artistry of making as much as the precision of engineering. The result is a venue where every visible surface tells a story of collaboration and care.
A Design of Depth and Flow
Beyond its technical achievements, Vinesmith delivers a truly immersive hospitality experience. Each of its three levels has a distinct function and atmosphere – yet all are connected through a shared design language rooted in the building’s original structure.
Inspired by the site’s existing concrete grid ceiling, the architects reinterpreted that motif through a contemporary lens. The grid becomes a unifying thread across the venue, mirrored in detailing, joinery, and spatial rhythm. At the heart of it all is the central bar, crafted in sleek dark-stained timber and designed as the social focal point. It invites guests to gather, taste, and explore in a setting that feels both intimate and dynamic.
Black Bean Leaf veneer wall linings and American walnut accents create a luxurious warmth, complemented by considered lighting and acoustic treatments. The ambience shifts subtly between levels – retail and tasting at entry, dining above, and private experiences below – yet the transitions feel seamless, guided by material continuity and careful spatial choreography.
The Art of Wine Display
Wine presentation at Vinesmith is an art form in itself. Precision-machined timber shelves cradle bottles at a slight angle for perfect visibility, reinforced with hidden steel for structural strength. LED lighting highlights the labels with gentle warmth, creating an inviting glow that enhances the retail and tasting experience. The shelving runs uninterrupted, free from vertical divisions, reflecting the project’s commitment to pure, uncluttered design.
Every detail, from the scalloped recesses in the shopfront alcove to the tactile joinery of the bar, reinforces a philosophy of craftsmanship without compromise. It’s this unity of structure, material, and experience that elevates Vinesmith beyond a hospitality venue – it’s a showcase of what can be achieved when design ambition meets technical mastery.
A Celebration of Craft and Collaboration
Vinesmith exemplifies the best of Australia’s fitout industry. It’s a project that bridges the worlds of architecture, craftsmanship, and hospitality – where every element, from the grain of timber to the rhythm of structure, has been considered, refined, and resolved.
Step inside Vinesmith and you’ll experience more than a venue. You’ll experience the artistry of making – an environment where engineering becomes design, craft becomes structure, and hospitality becomes architecture.
In a city known for its sophistication, Vinesmith sets a new benchmark for how spaces can both function and inspire.
Client:
Vinesmith
Location:
Melbourne VIC
Project Size:
315sqm
Fitout:
Indetail Projects
