Brass, Memory and Movement: Suzie Stanford at Langlands
Art can bring another layer of personality to a hospitality space, creating moments of discovery that shape how guests experience an interior. At Langlands Restaurant & Bar, a bespoke brass artwork by Melbourne artist Suzie Stanford forms part of NUMI Collective’s considered renovation of the Level 25 dining space.
Rather than treating art as an afterthought, NUMI approached the artwork as an integral part of the interior, responding to the existing architecture while contributing to the broader story of the project.
Langlands’ original interior draws on Melbourne’s industrial character, with concrete surfaces, galvanised steel and warehouse-inspired elements creating a strong architectural framework. NUMI retained these qualities while introducing softer materials, organic forms and warmer detailing.
The central design idea was nature reclaiming the city: a dialogue between Melbourne’s structured urban grid and the unexpected growth and movement within it. This concept runs throughout the renovation, from the bespoke Conservatory carpet and furniture to the joinery and artwork.
The bespoke brass artwork extends this narrative through a distinctly Melbourne lens. Rather than representing one particular location, the piece brings together recognisable landmarks and places from across the city. The MCG, Flemington and Chinatown are among the references incorporated into the work, alongside other familiar elements of Melbourne’s streetscape and cultural identity.
Photography courtesy of David Mitchener
The result sits somewhere between artwork, city map and memory scape: a collection of familiar places brought together in an unexpected composition.
Material and Making
Brass creates a warm, reflective counterpoint to the concrete, galvanised steel and darker finishes throughout Langlands. Its changing surface responds to the light throughout the day, adding subtle shifts in tone and texture as guests move through the space. Developed specifically for Langlands, the artwork was considered in relation to the scale, placement and material palette of the surrounding interior.
The process involved translating recognisable places and architectural references into a sculptural language that could work within the restaurant. Rather than reproducing the landmarks literally, Suzie's interpretation allows them to become part of a larger composition, something guests can recognise gradually as they spend time with the work.
This approach reflects NUMI’s broader philosophy of hospitality design: creating spaces through considered layers, where architecture establishes the framework, materials shape the atmosphere, and bespoke elements introduce individuality and craft.
The artwork also creates a connection between the restaurant and the city beyond its windows. From Level 25, guests encounter Melbourne both through the view outside and through its interpretation within the interior.
Together with the custom carpet, joinery, furniture and lighting, the artwork contributes to a cohesive design language, softening the industrial character of Langlands while creating a warmer and more distinctive dining environment.
Ultimately, the piece is a celebration of place: bringing recognisable fragments of Melbourne into Langlands and inviting guests to discover the city in a new way.