Embracing daytime dining and late-night entertainment, Maison Bâtard recently installed a venue-wide audio solution built on EAW loudspeakers and implemented by Melbourne-based A/V specialist, Zelo Group.
Set in the heart of Melbourne, Maison Bâtard spans four levels, from the main restaurant floors to the intimate basement supper club, Le Club and rooftop dining and bar space, La Terrasse, each. To give each its own sonic signature, Zelo Group designed, modeled and delivered a bespoke system that allows each space to operate independently or together.
‘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 centre of the design is EAW’s MKC Series, used extensively for foreground music throughout the venue. ‘The compact loudspeakers deliver premium sound quality while maintaining a strong value proposition – an important factor for hospitality environments requiring both performance and scalability,’ Sokolowski says. ‘The price point on the MKC is very good, and we’ve been using EAW with this client for many years, so it was a natural progression of design and implementation.’
The basement-level Le Club was conceived as a versatile performance space. ‘It’s a lush, high-vibe space designed to accommodate a range of performances, from live bands and DJs to cabaret acts and private events,’ Sokolowski elaborates. ‘For example, during the opening, they had opera singers performing throughout the venue, but the system is designed to just as easily accommodate those live band or DJ acts. Every level has its own subwoofer reinforcement, effectively creating multiple performance areas throughout the building.’
With Lucas Restaurants’ renowned aesthetic, Zelo Group’s design approach and collaboration with architects was required to carefully integrate technology without compromising architectural integrity. According to Sokolowski, ‘The finishes in Lucas venues are extremely high-end, and the architects generally don’t want to see speakers. Most of the subs are integrated into finishes or hidden behind architectural elements. The speakers themselves are color-matched to the surrounding surfaces, which required physically disassembling them, painting components and reassembling them to achieve a perfect visual match.’
To achieve this level of integration, Zelo Group’s dedicated design and project management teams conducted extensive Building Information Modeling (BIM) and acoustic simulation during the design process. The team spent nearly a year refining the system’s layout before installation began.
‘We modeled the entire venue in 3D before anything was installed,’ Sokolowski says. ‘Using EAW’s Resolution software alongside other acoustic modeling tools, we validated speaker placement, quantity and performance. That allowed us to demonstrate to the client how design changes – like relocating a speaker or removing a subwoofer – would affect the overall system.’
In addition to simulation, Zelo Group conducted real-world listening demonstrations to ensure the loudspeakers aligned with the client’s expectations. ‘Chris Lucas is very focused on the experience,’ says Sokolowski. ‘The vision is that guests can walk in for breakfast, stay for business meetings, enjoy lunch, and then transition into evening drinks and entertainment. Our role is to support that journey by creating an atmosphere that evolves throughout the day.’
Unlike a traditional contractor model, Zelo Group operates as a specialist hospitality technology partner, working with clients from initial concept through installation and commissioning, and providing ongoing support. The company’s long-term relationship with Lucas Restaurants spans more than a decade, reflecting this collaborative approach.
With EAW loudspeakers providing consistent, high-quality sound on every floor, Maison Bâtard offers a cohesive and engaging audio environment that complements its sophisticated dining and nightlife offerings, reinforcing its position as one of Melbourne’s most distinctive hospitality destinations.
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