Engage in some conscientious consumption at this temporary art installation/environmentally-friendly bar in Melbourne's Federation Square.
Part artist, part maverick florist,
Joost is one of Melbourne’s best-kept secrets. His latest project, the Greenhouse, is a temporary two-storey interactive exhibition that operates as café by day and a bar by night. It is fully sustainable and made entirely from recycled or recyclable materials.
Enter from Flinders Street through a towering wall of strawberry plants capable of feeding all of Wimbledon. Inside, the bar serves Little Creatures beer on tap, Innocent Bystander wines and a selection of cocktails from the Seamstress cocktail bar team. The glassware varies from makeshift to recycled. Water is served in jam jars and beers and wine in repurposed old beer and olive oil bottles.
Venture upstairs to the open-air bar with views across to St Pauls and down the Yarra River. The rooftop bar is surrounded by walls made from giant planters growing around 30 different types of vegetables, herbs and fruit trees.
Adhering strictly to the goal of minimising any environmental impact hasn’t diminished the good looks of the Greenhouse. All furniture is fashioned from pallets and old street signs. And take a closer look at the tables and you’ll notice the base is a street side fire hydrant cover.
The Greenhouse shows that conscientious consumption can be fun and far cooler than conspicuous consumption.
The Greenhouse by JoostDaily until January 29 from 7am to11pm Federation Square
Flinders Street, Melbourne
Website Michelle Matthews is the creator and publisher of Deck of Secrets guides