Project Spice Market

Imagine transforming a dirty old service lane into a desirable trading locale filled with aroma, colour and irresistible food delights. Then, extend the experience beyond the market fringe into the metropole. Stimulating and drawing city people into the marketplace to share the experience.

That is the idea Marie Lenartowicz, an Honours student of Interior Architecture at Monash University, imaged when she developed the ‘spice market’ concept for her final project.

The project proposes to transform the auxiliary service lane of Melbourne’s historic Victoria Market into a spice market with a mezzanine public space. Inspired by the bright, heavily decorated patterns of the Middle East, the décor blends an industrial modernism with metal mesh suspended ceilings and simple furnishings.  A relaxed, light-filled, social space for visitors from all walks of life to enjoy.

Clusters of wooden spice dispensers hang from the metal mesh above. Lidless, the vessels are filled with fresh spice.  A rich, exotic aroma gently fills the air. Over time the natural timber of the dispensers absorb the scent of spice, intensifying the sensory experience. Close your eyes, just for a minute, and recall the pleasure associated with the ancient, ambrosial scent of cinnamon or clove, allspice or nutmeg, roasted coffee, vanilla or any other favourites; cumin, coriander, curry.

Smooth form chimneys, sleeved in colour, hang suspended above the roasting fires of the ground level. Spice traders occupy laneway stalls together with coffee merchants roasting beans at the fires. Transient food cart vendors sell foods from all around the world, laden with the tantalising flavours of blended spice.

The chimneys penetrate the mezzanine, extending through to the rooftop to vent.  Visible from Melbourne’s streets, residences and offices, they are designed to capture interest. Ephemeral smoke rises from the chimneys into the atmosphere where it drifts, crossing the market threshold, infusing the city streets with the rich, evocative scents of the spice market.  

The theme connects with the roots of the marketplace, dating back to the first civilisation of ancient Mesopotamia (now Iraq) where fruit, vegetables, grain and nuts were traded. It also characterises the significance of the historical links between the Middle East and the spice trade throughout the middle ages.

Our involvement in the project was to make the prototype of the spice dispenser.  Sympathetic to the theme, the form is reminiscent of an antique Arabian coffee pot lid - inverted. Beautifully proportioned the dispenser is funnel shaped with a large bowl to hold the spice. Crafted in oregon by woodturner Steve Curtain, the bowl section was shaped first. The external surface of the funnel was then turned. The timber was worked mounted on face plates and held in place with a center screw. The piece was made exactly to Marie’s detailed drawing.

The upper rim is perforated with small holes which are threaded with bright ribbon to suspend the dispensers from the spice market mesh ceilings. A small timber pin pierces the tapered end of the funnel, its purpose to dispense a measure of spice.  Made from Mikasa ebony, a black timber, it contrasts with the oregon, giving the vessel an aged appearance.

This is an exciting architectural project which brings together historical, cultural and sensory elements to create a new and enticing experience at Melbourne’s landmark Victoria Market. We wish Marie all the best with her project. 

Contact

Marie Lenartowicz
Interior Architecture 
Mobile:  0431 920 566