Kaurna Country
South Australia
An adaptive re-use project on the edge of Adelaide’s CBD. Inserted into the ground floor of an 80s low-rise office building. Sofia is a bistro, an all-day diner, a warm, light-filled room that opens to the street.
Tucked in under a (new) corrugated bullnose roof that plays off the post-modern backdrop. The space has linearity in two directions; a continuous corrugated concrete counter along the back wall that holds coffee, bar and front of house kitchen. And a dining area that divided into three sections, with central booths and a banquette that wraps the venue, sashless windows opening to a planter bed and tree-lined Hutt Street.
The materiality balances sustainability and robustness, aiming to create a warmth and comfort that encourages conviviality and a protracted stay. A long lunch, an afternoon spritz or a long dinner and drink, no need to rush.
Sofia is an enigmatic intervention: a beacon of life and energy within a previously unremarkable stretch of Hutt Street. Capturing the attention and curiosity of passersby, the project transforms the streetscape, becoming a vibrant community focal point and injecting new character into the traditionally quieter end of the precinct.
Making efficient use of its modest footprint, Sofia is generous in its offerings. A long planter-box window frames diners and activity within, evoking the cinematic spirit of Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks and creating a lively dialogue between the interior and the street. This thoughtful gesture blurs boundaries, drawing the public into the experience of the space.
The material palette is both robust and sustainable, combining cork flooring, terrazzo, and FSC-certified timber with a finely crafted concrete counter that echoes the facade’s corrugated material language. Together, these elements ground the design in a sense of permanence while maintaining a playful, refined aesthetic.
The jury commends Sofia for exemplifying the spirit of the Small Project Award through its efficiency, innovation, and environmental responsibility. The project makes a meaningful contribution to Adelaide’s hospitality landscape, linking the East End and Hutt Street precincts and enriching the city’s public life.
Sofia is light and bright when you need her to be in the daylight hours then effortlessly sultry come post sunset. The relationship I have with Sofia is a gentle awe. The space has mirrored terrazzo tables – subtle bloody fun. The footprint taken advantage of with windowed banquet seating – is there a bad table in the house? Honestly; no. How does the design benefit the way I work and operate? The calibre is on a level far beyond a fad, a trend. Functionality with style is what we have here. Sofia grips style over fashion – and style is very fashionable
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
