On the road again – a new vision for Motel Flinders

The owners of Motel Flinders engaged Studio Tate to reimagine the interiors – originally built in the 1980’s – with the vision to create a warm and inviting haven for couples, families, and business travellers exploring the locale.

Early site visits revealed an extensive use of exposed brick, inside and out. Studio Tate instantly recognised the value in retaining this most dominant – and treasured– feature for its textural character and inherent environmental benefits. As a result, the project team approached the interior refurbishment with an adaptive reuse mindset, preserving the motel’s original structure and working within its existing floorplans.

Image credits: Tom Blachford / Motel Flinders

“The project called for a light – touch approach, with adaptive reuse strategies employed at every opportunity. This was aided by a vibrant, artful creative narrative that brought new character and a sense of discovery to both the motel’s common spaces and private accommodation,” explained Emily Addison, Associate Director, Studio Tate.

Studio Tate introduced the creative narrative of ‘Neo Expressionism’ early in the process, providing a strong conceptual foundation to guide every design decision. Balancing the raw texture of the original 1980s brickwork with bold applications of colour and texture, the design colourfully references the work of artist Pasquale Giardino whose signature use of primary hues (blues, ochres, reds, and other saturated tones), echoes the vivacious energy of Melbourne’s 1980s art scene.

Setting a playful and inviting tone from the first encounter, the reception greets visitors with a lively orange  and pink striped carpet, offset against an artisanal wallpaper embellished with the bold brushstrokes of Indigenous Australian designer, Jimmy Pike. “Every facet of the Motel Flinders’ interiors reveals new layers of storytelling – from the overarching narrative to expressive details like the Jimmy Pike-designed wallpaper in reception,” continued Addison.

The creative narrative continues in to the motel rooms where Studio Tate has infused beauty, character and comfort into the existing structure with its original floorplans. Each room is marked by a mint-green door and room signage in burnt orange. Originally used for delivering food to rooms, the signage has been adapted into beacon-like alcoves, serving as a wayfinding device that echoes the motel’s broader creative narrative.

Image credit: Tom Blachford / Motel Flinders

Within the accommodation itself, Studio Tate has inventively applied colour to offset the raw brick facades and bring new vitality to the interiors. Original timber ceilings, refinished in pale sky blue, gently contrast with the sandy hues of the walls – evoking the serene image of an ocean skyline above the beachline. The retained brick is further complemented by a soft sea of teal blue carpeting. “Through the strategic application of colour and texture, the atmosphere of the motel rooms has been transformed to feel both colourful and vibrant, while also calming, warm and inviting,” said Addison.

Motel room amenities are expressed through custom joinery, where simple, robust detailing balances comfort with versatility. Studio Tate borrows part of the brick façade to create an open storage console where shoes, clothing and other belongings can be tucked away.

An elegant minibar, complete with integrated fridge and cosy banquet seating offers an intimate dining nook. Adding visual depth and personality is the upholstered bedhead, finished in an artisanal Jimmy Pike-designed fabric. This is all tied together by a delicately composed palette of coral, pink, mint and burnt orange – the picture of lightness and modernity.

The Motel Flinders has undergone a revitalising transformation that highlights the positive impact of an adaptive reuse design approach when coupled with
Studio Tate’s creatively inspired philosophy and value-led design approach . “Through the strength of Studio Tate’s design, Motel Flinders has been vitally transformed from an aging motel into a sought-after coastal destination that offers a warm, inviting and memorable experience for its visitors,” concluded Addison.

Main image credit: Tom Blachford / Motel Flinders