A living, breathing, waste-free restaurant by Joost Bakker that combines food, art, building design and ecology is on show at Queensbridge Square as part of Melbourne’s Food and Wine Festival.
Joost Bakker is a Dutch-born, cross-disciplinary visionary who originally created Greenhouse at Melbourne’s Federation Square in 2008. He demonstrated to people how they can live a life that’s more environmentally sustainable by making simple changes and altering their perceptions. This temporary restaurant and event space was created using straw bales that were set into a 100 percent recyclable steel framework. It provided seating for a hundred patrons and supported a productive garden on the rooftop.
In 2009, ISPT commissioned Joost to create a permanent Greenhouse in Perth’s CBD, and in 2011 Joost was invited to create another temporary Greenhouse at Sydney Harbour. A Greenhouse is soon to be erected in East London.
This latest incarnation in Melbourne takes sustainable design up several notches using the latest technology from Germany, including four different prototypes for waterless female urinals. Head chef Matt Stone uses fresh seasonal produce sourced daily, including freshly milled wheat and herbs cut from the garden. Yoghurt and butter, made fresh from organic milk and cream, are delivered daily from a local dairy farmer, and wine, beer, water and milk are all sourced locally and delivered in returnable kegs. The napery and menus used in the restaurant are even made from sustainable flax fibre.
Some of the building products used are brand new, even experimental, while others are tried and trusted favourites. Ecoply plywood has been used extensively in the new Greenhouse for non-structural cladding, wall panels and furniture, inside and out. The appliances used in the restaurant were chosen carefully for their water and energy savings. Miele provided the cooktops, washing machine, dishwashers, rangehoods and dryer. Joost has also just launched his own sustainable product range – the By Joost brand of furniture, lights and candles.
Greenhouse by Joost is open now and will be serving meals until late on 22 March 2012.
