2018 Gallery
Winner: Best Installation Design
Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn Architects for Pop Inn
Various (see website for details)
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
The Pop Inn is a Canberran mobile wine bar which appears within picturesque ACT locations, allowing Canberra wine lovers to enjoy the beauty of our city in a new urban room. This itinerant urban room becomes a stage allowing the customer to participate in the performance of the staff.
Jury Citation
A mobile wine bar that pops up on public land in Canberra, the Pop Inn is an excellent expression of all the jury hoped to see in this category. We are impressed by the idea, the execution and the attention to detail, especially on such a small budget. The cube as a whole is a considered architectural statement that unfolds to reveal a welcoming, surprising and practical space, bringing form and texture to an essentially simple and transportable structure. The front steps add formality and a sense of occasion while also contributing to the friendly and open feel as they double as seating zones. The LED lighting and perforated metal skin are examples of pleasing detailing, while the substantial fridges and good glassware suggest serious intent. Overall, Pop Inn honours both wine and its drinkers in a novel, nimble setting.