Homepage / What is Architectural Metalwork? Why It Matters in Modern Fitouts
When you walk into a beautifully design cafe, retail store or restaurant, you may notice the lighting, textures and overall layout. But behind every sleek counter, intricate commercial joinery, and beautiful signage, lies one of the most underrated elements of modern design – Architectural Metalwork.
For over 25 years, Shape Shopfitters has been creating the ultimate commercial spaces across Australia with perfectly built fitouts that balance functionality and design. Find out what defines the importance of Architectural Metalwork and why this important element matters so much in modern fitouts today. Furthermore, using live case studies from Gami Chicken and Guzmani Gomez, we will show the key benefits of implementing Architectural Metalwork in your Cafe or Hospitality fitout and how investing in a one-stop shopfitting solution is critical to success. Architectural metalwork is one of the key services that sets Shape Shopfitters apart in the shopfitting industry. It’s the detail that transforms an ordinary cafe or restaurant build into a refined, high-performing modern day space.
Architectural metalwork refers to the design, fabrication, and installation of custom-made metal elements that add both strength and style to a fitout. Unlike basic metal fabrication, it combines engineering precision with architectural creativity, enhancing the aesthetics and function of a cafe, restaurant or retail space.
The most common elements of architectural metalwork often includes:
Custom counters and benchtops
Decorative screens, trims, panels & signage
Feature shelving or steel frameworks
Balustrades, handrails, and stair details
Architectural metalwork is about achieving the perfect balance between durability and design, ensuring every component contributes to the overall vision of the space.
In hospitality and retail fitouts, architectural metalwork plays a defining role in shaping the customer experience throughout the whole journey from start to finish. It’s used to create impact, structure, and sophistication elements that today’s brands rely on in the modern world to stand out.
Shape Shopfitters’ projects for Gami Chicken, Grill’d and Guzman y Gomez showcase this versatility. From stainless steel bar fronts to powder-coated steel partitions and feature displays, each metal component is built to endure daily wear while maintaining a polished, professional look.
Metals such as stainless steel, brass, and blackened steel are particularly popular in café and restaurant designs for their sleek appearance and low maintenance, making them ideal for modern, high-traffic environments.
Modern commercial fitouts demand materials that combine longevity with design flexibility. Architectural metalwork delivers on all fronts:
Durability: Resistant to impact, moisture, and corrosion, making it ideal for high-use areas.
Visual Appeal: Offers endless finishes from matte black and brushed steel to gold and bronze tones for tailored aesthetic impact.
Precision: Custom fabrication ensures perfect alignment and seamless integration with commercial joinery and other fitout elements.
Sustainability: Many metals are recyclable and contribute to sustainable design goals.
At Shape Shopfitters, all Architectural metalwork is produced in-house, giving clients direct control over quality, lead times, and finish. This end-to-end capability ensures that every design element aligns with the project’s vision from concept to completion.
In Australia’s competitive fitout industry, many shopfitting companies outsource metal fabrication to third parties. This often leads to communication breakdowns, delays, and inconsistencies between design and installation.
Shape Shopfitters takes a different approach. With dedicated in-house teams for joinery, metalwork, and design, Shape ensures precision, coordination, and efficiency across every stage of the project. This integrated model gives clients confidence that what’s designed is exactly what will be built without compromise. Additionally, Shape Shopfitters offer a dedicated and specialised project management team, including long standing employees with 10+ years in experience.
This capability is one of the reasons Shape Shopfitters has become the trusted shopfitter for some of Australia’s most recognisable brands including Grilld, Guzman Y Gomez, Gami Chicken, McDonalds and Fonda.
When Gami Chicken approached Shape Shopfitters to deliver their hospitality fitouts, they wanted to achieve a look that captured the brand’s contemporary and welcoming personality, while maintaining durability and functionality for high-traffic restaurant spaces.
Shape Shopfitters design and metalwork teams collaborated closely to craft bespoke metal elements that enhanced both the visual identity of the brand and the operational flow of Gami’s interiors.
Shape Shopfitters have designed and developed amazing hospitality fitouts for Gami Chicken across the following key locations:
Architectural Metalwork was a key focus for Gami Chicken to give the brand consistency of layout and style at all locations in both Melbourne and Sydney. Using their own in-house team, Shape Shopfitters created custom metalworks that gave Gami Chicken a competitive edge across all fitouts. See below the key benefits of Architectural Metalwork in a hospitality fitout:
The result is a series of inviting, stylish venues where architectural metalwork not only supports the structure but becomes a feature of the design itself.
Architectural metalwork works best when it’s integrated seamlessly into the broader design and construction process. That’s why partnering with a company that offers end-to-end shopfitting services makes all the difference.
Shape Shopfitters delivers:
Single-point accountability from concept through to completion via our experienced Project Management team.
Shorter project timelines with no dependency on external contractors, so your fitout can be done fast.
Consistent quality and finish across all metalwork materials, staying aligned to brand.
Full coordination between trades, ensuring every detail aligns.
As an 100% Australian owned business, Shape also prioritises local craftsmanship and materials, supporting the Australian manufacturing industry and maintaining the highest quality standards. So when making that decision of which shopfitter you are going to select, always look at experience and in-house capabilities to ensure your fitout project runs as smoothly as possible.
From design consultation and 3D visualisation through to joinery and architectural metalwork, Shape Shopfitters’ project management team ensures everything runs smoothly.
This comprehensive approach eliminates common fitout challenges such as mismatched finishes, measurement errors, or timeline delays. It’s a system built on communication, accountability, and craftsmanship, ensuring clients receive the same level of excellence across every project.
Architectural metalwork is evolving as designers and architects embrace sustainability, technology, and new aesthetics. The future of hospitality fitouts is focused on:
Eco-friendly fabrication using recyclable and low-waste materials for positive impacts on the environment.
Mixed material combinations, blending metal with timber, stone, and glass for the modern look and feel. Very common fitouts appearing within large shopping centre’s such as Westfields – The Glen Shopping Centre.
Innovative finishes, such as matte coatings, textured surfaces, and laser-cut detailing.
Smart integration, where metalwork supports lighting, branding, and signage systems.
Shape Shopfitters continues to lead in this space by embracing new materials, design technologies, and fabrication techniques that redefine what’s possible in modern commercial interiors.
Architectural metalwork isn’t just a design detail, it’s the foundation of modern fitouts. It delivers structure, strength, and sophistication while elevating the overall customer experience.
With decades of experience and a commitment to local craftsmanship, Shape Shopfitters has mastered the art of integrating metalwork into hospitality and retail environments. From Gami Chicken to Grill’d and Guzman y Gomez, Shape’s ability to combine design innovation with manufacturing precision continues to set new benchmarks in Australia’s fitout industry.
Whether you’re planning a café, restaurant, or retail build, Shape Shopfitters offers everything under one roof: design, joinery, metalwork, and installation, making them your trusted partner for Shopfitting in Australia.
If you are looking for a shopfitting company that knows how to bring the perfect design to a high-traffic area site, then fill out the Shape Shopfitters Quote Form Online.
Click the link below to speak with one of our friendly team members!
Established in 1998 Shape Shopfitters has over 25 years experience servicing the shopfitting and construction Industries
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