There’s a particular potency in gathering people over a meal. Founders of Playte, Niyanta Sharma and Wesley Hauler-Winterford, recognise that. But it’s what they do with that understanding that defines Playte.

Working between Naarm (Melbourne) and London, the gastro-architect duo combines sculptural design, cultural food knowledge and communal ritual to create immersive experiences centred around food. Niyanta’s Indian heritage and Wesley’s Māori roots sit naturally within the foundations of the work, alongside shared values around locality, seasonality, sustainability and communal food culture.

Playte explores the emotional and political power of food – how it carries memory, identity, care and collective healing. Their projects feel less like formal dining experiences and more like temporary communities built around curiosity, participation and exchange.

Using food as an entryway into larger ideas, the duo continues creating thoughtful, unconventional works spanning workshops, installations and public gatherings. A recent project, Preservation Pavilion, transformed Balam Balam Place into a temporary communal structure, bringing together 27 creatives across food, architecture, storytelling and public programming – just one example of Playte’s ongoing commitment to nourishing both people and place.