BOLD CHOICE

Architect and trailblazer Piero Gesualdi's Melbourne emporium, Mondopiero, is a celebration of timeless design and craftmanship, with a sprinkling of decorative flair.

WHAT WERE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR SPACE AND WHAT INITIALLY APPEALED ABOUT THE SITE? Location was a top priority for us, and we were thrilled to discover a space nestled in the vibrant neighbourhood of Fitzroy (voted Melbourne’s coolest neighbourhood recently).

Situated on the fringe of the CBD and within walking distance of Gertrude Street, the space instantly captured our attention with its soaring cathedral-like ceilings and abundant natural light. We immediately recognised the potential to create a theatrical experience for engaging with the products and hosting events. Beyond its stunning aesthetic appeal, the sheer magnitude of the space provides ample room for installations and dramatic backdrops and can accommodate our larger scale items.

WHAT WAS THE DESIGN CONCEPT FOR THE STORE’S INTERIORS? I tapped into a rich reservoir of ideas and insights cultivated over four decades of travel, along with my deep passion for design, fashion, restaurants and interior architecture. Inspired by the ambience of a bustling market, our goal was to curate breakout spaces within our space – notable examples include the Santa Maria Novella section, or the captivating Ghidini 1961 setting. My vision was to create a platform where the exquisite products could take centre stage and truly shine.

WHAT DID THE FIT-OUT ENTAIL? We made the choice to preserve the original structure and integrity of the space and created custom-designed furniture to elegantly showcase our collections. Additionally, we conceived and crafted striking raw steel walkthrough oval bookshelves situated at the store’s heart.