In the coastal town of Flinders, Studio Tate breathed new life into the historic Motel Flinders, enhancing its accommodation and amenity through a vibrant and layered design narrative that invites visitors to discover anew the charm, comfort and simple pleasures of a motel getaway.
The owners of Motel Flinders sought to transform their aging property, originally built in the 1980s, into a sought-after Mornington Peninsula coastal retreat. Their vision was to create a warm and inviting haven for couples, families, and business travellers exploring Flinders. Studio Tate was engaged to reimagine the interiors, setting the stage for future landscaping, branding, and façade enhancements.
Studio Tate introduced the creative narrative of ‘Neo Expressionism’ early in the process, providing a strong conceptual foundation to guide every design decision. Balancing the raw texture of the original 1980s brickwork with bold applications of colour and texture, the design colourfully references the work of artist Pasquale Giardino whose signature use of primary hues (blues, ochres, reds, and other saturated tones), echoes the vivacious energy of Melbourne’s 1980s art scene.

Setting a playful and inviting tone from the first encounter, the reception greets visitors with a lively orange-and-pink striped carpet, offset against an artisanal wallpaper embellished with the bold brushstrokes of Indigenous Australian designer, Jimmy Pike. The creative narrative continues into the motel rooms where Studio Tate has infused beauty, character and comfort into the existing structure with its original floorplans. Each room is marked by a mint-green door and room signage in burnt orange. Originally used for delivering food to rooms, the signage has been adapted into beacon-like alcoves – serving as a wayfinding device that echoes the motel’s broader creative narrative.
The Motel Flinders has undergone a revitalising transformation that highlights the positive impact of an adaptive reuse design approach when coupled with Studio Tate’s creatively inspired philosophy and value-led design approach. “Through the strength of Studio Tate’s design, Motel Flinders has been vitally transformed from an aging motel into a sought-after coastal destination that offers a warm, inviting and memorable experience for its visitors,” said Associate Director Emily Addison.