- Project: Vin Populi
- Architect: Rezen Studio
- Location: Austria, Fremantle
- Year: 2023
- Area: 190 m2
- Photography: Dion Robeson
Located in the heart of Fremantle’s historic West End, Vin Populi by Rezen Studio redefines the concept of a wine bar by intertwining nostalgia with modern hospitality design. Housed in the former Roma Restaurant, a cultural cornerstone that operated from 1954, Vin Populi pays tribute to Italian dining traditions while delivering a fresh, immersive experience for a new generation.
This award-winning transformation blends maritime textures, heritage elements, and refined materiality—setting a new standard for hospitality design in Western Australia.
Reviving a Fremantle Icon with Contemporary Sensibility
When Rezen Studio, led by design director Zenifa Bowring, embarked on the Vin Populi project, the vision was clear: to honor the spirit of the Roma Restaurant while creating a vibrant new identity that resonates with today’s dining culture.
The studio carefully peeled back decades of renovations to uncover original features such as rough-rendered walls and heritage finishes. This tactile canvas now frames every detail of the bar and dining areas, creating an authentic and texturally rich environment that bridges the past and the present.
Interior Design: A Dialogue Between Old and New
Bar as the Social Anchor
At the heart of the layout is a dramatic, centrally positioned wine bar, acting as the social nucleus of the venue. Clad in soft red terrazzo and flanked by steel shelving, the bar sets the tone with its commanding presence and convivial energy.
Archways & Zoning
Dining rooms are organized around a series of arched openings, visually connecting the bar with more intimate seating areas. These softly framed thresholds provide clear spatial delineation while preserving a sense of openness and flow.
Material Palette & Details
Rezen Studio’s approach to materials is both nostalgic and bold. Notable elements include:
- Tricolour tiled floors that echo vintage Italian eateries
- Curved steel furniture with piped upholstery, referencing industrial maritime heritage
- Subtle design winks, like a “Naughty Corner” plaque—an inside joke tied to the site’s storied past
Together, these components form a distinctively Fremantle aesthetic—playful, layered, and proudly rooted in place.
Contextual Storytelling Through Design
The design of Vin Populi extends beyond aesthetics—it’s a narrative about place, memory, and continuity. Located near Fremantle Port, the space subtly references its coastal environment through:
- Oxidized steel finishes, reminiscent of dockside equipment
- Rough, exposed surfaces, suggesting the passage of time
- Communal dining arrangements, echoing familial Italian feasts
This commitment to contextual storytelling is a signature of Rezen Studio’s ethos: creating emotionally resonant environments that invite connection and celebration.
Sustainability and Heritage Respect
Rather than erase history, Rezen Studio opted for adaptive reuse—a sustainable approach that retains the building’s character while minimizing waste. By restoring key architectural elements and upgrading infrastructure with restraint, the studio preserved the essence of the original venue while enhancing its long-term performance and usability.
Awards and Recognition
Vin Populi has garnered widespread acclaim for its design excellence, including:
- Shortlisted – Eat Drink Design Awards 2023 (Best Restaurant Design)
- Winner – Best of State (WA) – Commercial at the 2024 Australian Interior Design Awards
These accolades affirm Vin Populi’s status as a benchmark project in contemporary Australian hospitality design.
Conclusion: Where Memory Meets Modernity
Vin Populi is more than a restaurant—it is an experience crafted through architecture, memory, and human connection. Rezen Studio’s thoughtful design celebrates Fremantle’s rich cultural layers while delivering a timeless venue where the past informs the present.
Whether you’re drawn by the Italian menu, the ambiance, or the story embedded in the walls, Vin Populi offers a sensory journey unlike any other in Western Australia.
To delve deeper into Rezen Studio’s diverse range of projects, visit their Rezen Studio Projects page on ArchitectureArtDesigns.com.
