Now largely absent from the suburban landscape, the milk bar was shaped by necessity rather than design intent. Products were layered into dense arrangements of shelving, counters, and vitrines, creating a sense of abundance and discovery. This atmosphere of generosity and familiarity forms the conceptual foundation of the project.
Madeleine de Proust
A patisserie informed by memory, Madeleine de Proust draws on the warmth and excitement of childhood rituals. It recalls the corner shop, tuck shop, and, most distinctly in Australia, the neighbourhood milk bar — places of anticipation where time was spent peering through glass displays at brightly coloured, carefully arranged treats.
2023
Carlton, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Land
Patrons
16pax
Floor area
83m²
Carlton’s long history of continental cafés and milk bars provided inspiration. The interior references these cues with restraint. Checkerboard tiling, patterned surfaces, and tactile finishes acknowledge memory without imitation, organised within a clear spatial order. The experience feels familiar, without relying on pastiche.
Callum Preston Milk Bar (detail) 2017 Sandrew collection.
Katje Ford Mortdale milk bar cafe 2223 2017.
Transaction at K & A Pappas Australian & Continental Milk Bar, Preston West, 1982 Museums Victoria Collection
Callum Preston Milk Bar (detail) 2017 Sandrew collection.
A sequenced arrangement of objects guides customers through the experience — from arrival to selection to purchase. Counters, shelving, and display elements operate as a cohesive system, capturing the pleasure of choice while maintaining clarity and efficiency within the compact footprint.
Craft and precision underpin both the spatial and culinary experience. Madeleines are treated as objects of care, displayed on custom-made trays and finished with glazes, gold leaf, and coatings applied using fine Japanese brushes. The counter becomes a stage for detail, where tools, materials, and presentation elevate the act of selection.
Flavour innovation mirrors this approach. Anchored in the tradition of the classic French madeleine, the menu expands through refined decoration, layered flavours, and high-quality ingredients. Asian influences and Australian produce sit alongside established techniques, transforming a simple treat into a measured moment of indulgence.
Like the brand itself, the interior balances nostalgia with restraint. Familiar references are reworked and elevated, revitalising the customer experience while preserving the joy, abundance, and sense of wonder that define both the madeleine and the memory of the milk bar.
Credits
Photography: Sharyn Cairns
Branding: Principle Design
Contractor: Riverside Projects