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Can you please curate your JRF edit (approx 12-14 products)?
Can you tell us a little bit about yourselves, your firm and how your partnership formed?
Luchetti Krelle is a Sydney-based interior and architectural design practice specialising in the hospitality sector – with a studio of around 20ish lovely folks. Our approach is simple: we listen, translate, inspire and we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We want to be known as good people to work with and become heavily invested in our projects both professionally and emotionally to create spaces that people want to eat, drink and stay in.
We are both Sydney born and bred – Stuart from a family of 4 boys and Rachel from a family of 5 girls. We met briefly back in Uni days and then a chance encounter at a barefoot bowling club sparked the beginnings of a formidable force. We shared a passion for hospitality – each of us working in in the industry (as many do to get through Uni), a strong work ethic and nothing to lose.
We hear you are coming up to your 15th year together. Tell us the secret to a long-standing business partnership?
Often mistaken as a ‘husband and wife’ team, our partnership has already lasted longer than your average marriage! It hasn’t always been easy, but we have an underlying adoration for one another and have complete trust and the utmost respect for what each of us brings to the Practice. Design wise – we also each hold the right to veto!
Luchetti Krelle is known for its expertise in hospitality and hotel design. What attracts you to these sectors?
In addition to being part of an amazing Design community, we also love being part of the Hospitality Industry. We understand that guest/patron loyalty so often stems from the sense of community they feel in a hotel or venue. Clientele will feel drawn back for the quality food and drink and excellent service but also for the less tangible echo of there being a kind of ‘society by intention’ happening with every visit. We are devoted to the idea that a good design will always oscillate in sympathy with every other aspect: it must support with but never dominate or interrupt a truly unique hospitality experience.
(Longrain by Luchetti Krelle)
Can you tell us how you believe these sectors have changed over the past 2 years and how these changes will impact your designs moving forward?
Sadly, our Hospitality sector has taken a beating with many COVID related closures. The resilience of these people has proved to be invaluable as they get back on their feet, stop surviving and start thriving again. Obviously, there is an increased demand for alfresco dining and it’s great to see our local councils supporting small business by allowing this to occur in the streets of our cities. Our future designs will certainly account for this emerging trend.
Any predicted trends for 2022/2023?
Not sure about trends but we are seeing a new respect for local manufacturing and hope that this remains post pandemic.
Can you give some insight into how you create a synergy between the hospitality spaces within the overall hotel environment? What makes for a successful hotel hospitality environment?
We feel quite strongly that a strong conceptual narrative should be established that holds true throughout the entire site. The art of placemaking sees the wonder and enjoyment continue as you experience the escapism that hotels can offer from your ordinary life.
(Bathers Pavilion by Luchetti Krelle)
What are your non-negotiables when choosing furniture for both hotels and hospitality venues, aside from the aesthetic? Are there similarities?
Comfort is paramount and quality of construction. We try to extend warranties wherever possible.
What has been a highlight of your career so far?
We feel like the satisfaction of seeing our ideas come to life – that opening night where you get to witness peoples’ first reaction to the venues we create is such a highlight and it happens on every project. We are so fortunate to be privy to that kind of job satisfaction. Recognition from our peers has also been career highlights for us – in 2010, we won Emerging Designer at the AIDA awards and 10 years later, we won the overall project award at IDEA Awards with Longrain Tokyo. That was certainly a fun night that took us all the way to our favourite Karaoke Bar afterwards in the wee hours of the morning.
What can we look forward to from Luchetti Krelle in 2022? Any exciting upcoming projects you can share with us?
We have a wonderful array of projects currently in the works – from a very special winery called Mount Pleasant in The Hunter Valley to a tiny restaurant/ bar called Jane in Surry Hills that recently opened. We have an iconic Sydney Pub that’s about to relaunch as The Woolly Bay Hotel and a top-secret new venture in Paddington coming up.
(Tattersalls by Luchetti Krelle)
Now for some quick-fire questions:
What is the most treasured piece of furniture you own?
We bought two Falcon chairs by Sigurd Ressel for the studio – we had to buy two so that we can have one each to take home when we retire and have time to sit and relax!
Favourite place to eat in Sydney?
Rachel: We have always loved dining at Toko in Surry Hills which is unfortunately moving out of our neighbourhood into town.
Stuart: Cafe Paci (Newtown)
Favourite dining experience?
Rachel: Kaiseki in Kyoto
Stuart: Any long lunch! 😉
Favourite hotel you have stayed at?
Rachel: Loved staying at The Standard in Kings Cross, London
Stuart: ACE Hotel – DTLA (Down Town LA)
Next place to travel to?
Rachel: Mexico please!