Brief

MAAP’s Collingwood store blends steel, concrete and café culture for cyclists

The renovated Melbourne store, designed by Clare Cousins Architects, adds industrial materials and a coffee bar to serve up to 25 cyclists each morning.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 03 Oct 2026 15:42:52 GMT

MAAP, the Melbourne‑based cycling apparel brand, has reopened its Collingwood flagship after a redesign by Clare Cousins Architects, turning the 170‑square‑metre space into a hybrid retail‑café for cyclists, SMH reported.

What happened

The store, originally a bare‑bones shell with 4.5‑metre‑high walls, now features concrete ceilings and floors, a new stainless‑steel skin and perforated steel panels. Industrial‑style lighting runs along exposed pipes, while a soft powder‑blue colour scheme covers shelving and changing‑room curtains. An Italian espresso machine sits on a concrete bench, and a lounge suite with a coffee table invites cyclists to gather before and after rides.

What the reports add

SMH notes that the design includes flexible, olive‑green trolley‑like units and a large entrance to accommodate up to 25 cyclists arriving in the morning. The bike mounted on a wall is treated as a sculpture, and the space aims to keep most colour for the clothing rather than the interior. The article also lists MAAP’s other locations, including Berlin, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Los Angeles and London.

What was said

Oliver Duff, director of architecture at Clare Cousins, told SMH, “This space is geared to the cyclist,” and added that the location was chosen for its proximity to a bike path on Wellington Street. He also said, “Given it’s a place for the community of cyclists to meet, we also wanted to introduce a softer, more domestic feel to the store.”

How it came about

MAAP’s founders, who come from fashion and graphic‑design backgrounds, wanted a boutique‑style venue that doubles as a community hub. The redesign reflects that ambition, merging industrial materials with domestic touches to create a meeting point for Melbourne’s cycling crowd.

Key facts

MAAP’s Collingwood store was redesigned by Clare Cousins Architects. (smh.com.au)
The 170‑square‑metre space now features concrete ceilings, stainless‑steel panels and perforated steel walls. (smh.com.au)
The store can accommodate up to 25 cyclists arriving each morning. (smh.com.au)
Oliver Duff, director of architecture, said the space is “geared to the cyclist”. (smh.com.au)
MAAP has ten stores worldwide, including locations in Berlin, Singapore and London. (smh.com.au)