AUSTRALIA: Creating a venue that effortlessly transitions from refined daytime dining to high-energy nightlife is no small feat — particularly when the audio must adapt in real time without disrupting architectural elegance. At Maison Bâtard in Melbourne, that balance has been realised through a fully integrated, venue-wide sound system built on Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) loudspeakers, delivered by Melbourne-based AV specialist Zelo Group.

Positioned in the heart of the city, Maison Bâtard spans four distinct levels — from its main restaurant floors to the intimate basement supper club, Le Club, and the rooftop bar and dining space, La Terrasse — each demanding its own sonic identity while remaining part of a unified experience. Zelo Group approached the project as a complete concept-to-install solution, designing, modelling, engineering, and deploying a bespoke system that allows each space to operate independently or in sync, depending on the venue’s operational needs.

“Maison Bâtard is a very large venue for a restaurant, especially in Melbourne, and every level has its own identity,” says Stephen Sokolowski, Design Manager at Zelo Group. “The system was designed so that each floor can operate independently or together. If there’s a performance in the basement club, that audio can be routed throughout the building, or each level can host its own entertainment.”

At the core of the installation is EAW’s MKC Series, deployed extensively for foreground music coverage across the venue. The compact loudspeakers were selected for their ability to deliver premium sound quality while maintaining a strong value proposition — an essential consideration in hospitality environments where scalability and performance must go hand in hand. Their consistent sonic character ensures a cohesive listening experience, even as the atmosphere shifts throughout the day.

The basement-level Le Club serves as the venue’s most dynamic performance environment, designed to accommodate everything from live bands and DJs to cabaret acts and private events. Each level of the venue is reinforced with dedicated subwoofer support, effectively transforming the entire building into a collection of interconnected performance spaces capable of adapting to a wide range of programming.

Delivering this level of performance while preserving the venue’s high-end aesthetic presented a significant challenge. Working closely with architects and designers, Zelo Group ensured that the technology remained virtually invisible. Subwoofers were concealed within architectural elements, while loudspeakers were colour-matched to their surroundings — requiring physical disassembly, custom finishing, and reassembly to achieve a seamless visual integration.

To achieve precision at every stage, Zelo Group undertook extensive Building Information Modeling (BIM) and acoustic simulation, spending nearly a year refining the system design before installation. Using EAW’s Resolution software alongside other modelling tools, the team validated speaker placement, system coverage, and performance, enabling informed design decisions and clear communication with the client throughout the process.

Beyond simulation, real-world listening demonstrations played a crucial role in aligning the system’s performance with the client’s expectations. The objective was clear: to create an evolving atmosphere that supports guests throughout the day — from breakfast meetings to late-night entertainment — without any perceptible compromise in audio quality.

Operating as a long-term hospitality technology partner rather than a conventional contractor, Zelo Group worked closely with Lucas Restaurants across the entire project lifecycle, from concept development through to commissioning and ongoing support. This collaborative approach, built over more than a decade, ensured that Maison Bâtard’s audio environment not only meets but enhances its ambitious experiential vision.