Anna Russell
Anna Russell
CLUB COLOMBIA
I work as an Art Director in the film industry and I also have my own interior design business.
I have worked closely with Bayside Shopfitter's lead Construction Manager Rob Mackenzie for 5 years and he is always my first go-to on a job involving construction or carpentry. Most recently, I worked with Bayside Shopfitters refurbishing a cafe in the Melbourne CBD (Club Colombia).
Rob understands and appreciates the aesthetic elements of your design concepts and he'll always find a way to build things that function in a practical sense while staying true to the aesthetic design concept. In fact I think Rob thrives on challenge and enjoys problem solving, which is really helpful when you've designed something you have no idea how to make.
A few wacky builds that I've worked with Rob on in the past include:
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A 19th century ship wreck, a floatable raft made from wine barrels,
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An art deco public toilet block- turned hair salon,
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1970's random groove wood panel walls (made from scratch),
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Colonial Colombian zocalo wall panels, doors and windows.
No project is too hard for Robbie. I can't sing his praises enough and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him, as I have done multiple times. I, myself look forward to working with him on many more projects.
​​Michael Armstrong
UKYIO ESCAPE ROOM
We were designing a large-scale, ambitious installation and needed to find a company who was dependable and could cope with lots of unknowns.
Our installation involved two cave areas, a hand-made cherry blossom tree, a running waterfall and everything had to be accessible and compliant. It would have been an endeavour impossible without Bayside Shopfitters.
Rob was personable from the get-go, reliable and sincere. He knows how to get things done and for any specialised fabrications he has all the right contacts. Despite the project being an extremely complicated one, Rob was great through both the planning stages and the application.
He has a range of practical skills and is always up for a new challenge. He’s fun to work with and definitely someone you want on your team.
Diego REYES
CLUB COLUMBIA
I came to Bayside Shopfitters for a friend. I was looking for someone to help me with the renovation of my new Restaurant.
I had some experience with the renovation of my first restaurant, and it was not pleasant. So, I was a little nervous, and I wanted to be very careful this time.
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​​My friend is an architect and has been involved in film and television projects. That's why she recommended Rob Mackenzie (Bayside Shopfitters) as a recursive person, accustomed to projects that need to be executed very quickly.
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​​Well, the experience was more than pleasant. Today, I not only have a beautiful restaurant but everything was made in the estimated time and at a reasonable cost, thanks Rob. There were many decisions that I had to make on my own and Rob was always there, with his experience, to give me recommendations. How to make it easier? Cheaper? Faster? Rob had the suggestion ... and when not, we could discuss it together to find the best solution.
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​​I will not think for a moment. Whenever you need something related to design and construction, I will call Bayside Shopfitters.
Jacqueline MilleR
UKYIO ESCAPE ROOM
The best thing about working with Bayside Shopfitters is definitely the enthusiasm and dedication of the team.
Rob fully cares and believes in the meaning, story, application and usability of any project that he jumps on. The can-do attitude and wealth of construction knowledge allows any challenge to be overcome.
Rob is a great problem solver to have around, and has a high appreciation for craft, design and detail. Collaborating with Bayside Shopfitters was a joy, and the laughs and chats throughout make it all the more enjoyable!
