2019 Eat Drink Design Awards: Best Identity Design

Lagotto by Studio Hi Ho

Jury comment

The illustrations, artwork and photography employed by Lagotto, an all-day eatery in Melbourne’s Fitzroy North, is both playful and stylish, and gives the customer a sense of the type of hospitality on offer. The venue’s name – which was part of the brief taken on by the identity design team – is in reference to the Lagotto Romagnolo, an Italian breed of waterdog often used to hunt truffles. That reference is reflected in an illustrated dog that acts as the restaurant’s mascot, appearing on coasters, business cards and menus – an unusual but highly effective marketing tool that serves to distinguish the business and give it a sense of warmth and personality. The brand designers worked closely with the interior designers and took inspiration from the venue’s classic Italian feel, and the jury was able to sense this seamless collaboration in the materials submitted.

Design statement

The brief was to name and brand a ground-floor restaurant and food store in the client’s (Milieu Property) North Fitzroy apartment building. As the entire project was still in concept, the design team was free to respond to the interior design and propose an angle for the venue. The scheme was a huge inspiration, and we worked closely with the interior designer to ensure all brand touchpoints aligned with the project vision. The fitout is an exuberant expression of Italian design: colourful, richly textured elegance tempered with good humour and lots of fun. Studio Hi Ho saw a great opportunity to create a brand that resonates with the wildly eclectic yet seamlessly sophisticated design. The brand identity begins with classic simplicity and evolves through tongue-in-cheek illustration and unexpected colour treatments.

Lagotto
1 York Street
Fitzroy North, Vic
cafelagotto.com.au

Studio Hi Ho
Project team: Wes Waddell, Patrick Scanlan
Suite 2
589 Malvern Road
Hawkesburn, Vic
studiohiho.com

See the whole gallery of images at the Eat Drink Design Awards website.

The 2019 Eat Drink Design Awards are organized by Architecture Media and supported by major partner Chandon Australia; supporting partners Harbour, Latitude, Ownworld, Roca and Tasmanian Timber and event partner Four Pillars Gin, Jetty Road Brewery and S.Pellegrino.

The Eat Drink Design Awards are endorsed by the Australian Institute of Architects and the Design Institute of Australia.

Related topics

More awards

See all
"Cusp: A transition between two states" by Ella Meredith. 2023 Artichoke Prize Winners

The 2023 winners of the Artichoke Prize: Recognising student excellence in communicating interior design propositions.

George Street, Sydney by City of Sydney Winners revealed: 2024 Australian Urban Design Awards

Eleven projects were recognized in this year’s program, including four winners.

Most read

Latest on site

LATEST PRODUCTS