All photography by Tom Blanchford.

Situated on the outskirts of Melbourne is a new and welcoming café project – Morris & Heath – designed by Ritz & Ghougassian. The guiding concept of the 125sqm space is to be a place of refuge.

Being located in Hoppers Crossing, the site is surrounded by expansive eucalypt forests and the industrialised surrounds of precast concrete. As a juxtaposition to this sparse landscape, the interior invites users into a warm and enveloping space, creating a destination for people outside Melbourne’s inner-city area.

The interior features swathes of spotted gum timber, which line the walls in large panels. The ceiling and top section of the double-height walls blend from the striking spotted gum panels into timber battening. These battens add to the drama of the space and accentuate the feeling of being embraced by the space. The veil created by the battens also act as a natural element, adding relief to shoppers.

Other materials used include milled steel and concrete, along with generous leather cushions splayed across the furniture. Simple and sleek black chairs sit under simple tables with timber tops, while the counter makes a sharp statement as a shiny black monolith within the space.