JOURNAL/ November/2014

Bates Smart’s design is intended to complete the group of towers that define the southern edge of Hyde Park while sitting comfortably alongside the scale and character of the surrounding notable buildings such as the adjacent Mark Foy’s building.

Director Philip Vivian explains the design proposal:

“Our concept appears as a ‘stack’ of humanely scaled buildings that recall the historic context of Hyde Park while resolving the stepped and angled complexity of the approved envelope.

The palette of natural materials proposed sits comfortably within the series of nearby buildings such as St James station and the Australian museum.”

The building will comprise 38 levels and 148 apartments and is currently being submitted for a Stage 2 Development Application in the Sydney studio. 

The design accentuates the best of the original building while adding sophisticated modern touches.

Bates Smart Studio Director Brenton Smith says the design combines classic resort style with a contemporary Sydney twist.

“The approach we took was about contextualising the hotel and reinstating the glamour back into Double Bay,” he says.

“The new InterContinental Sydney Double Bay lies in a remarkable part of Sydney, where a stunning bayside lifestyle combines with high fashion and big business.”

“We’ve extended this feel and built a place to be seen, in a hotel that typifies understated luxury.”

The theme of ‘understated luxury’ is evident throughout the entire refurbishment, which included an overhaul of the rooftop area - creating a sophisticated pool and bar setting for hotel guests, with panoramic views of the harbour.

“For us, the jewel in the crown is the Rooftop Pool and Lounge. The space presented a fantastic opportunity where we were able to frame the bay views in an intimate setting,” explains Smith.“

We wanted to create a relaxed texture and rawness to the space, referencing traditional Mediterranean resorts such as the Amalfi coast or Mykonos, so the materials are light and cool, the limestone split rock wall is quite warm, and the cabanas feature navy blue and white stripes that recall classical beach-side umbrellas.”

Other features include a Grand Ballroom that can facilitate up to 495 guests, a revitalisation of the original marble reception and an intimitate destination restaurant, Stockroom. InterContinental Sydney Double Bay also has 14 Executive Suites and 1 Royal Suite, with private balconies.

A classic marble and leather-clad Stillery gin bar encourages guests to mix with locals within a relaxed setting with a subtle nautical theme, paying tribute to the nearby bay. “It’s the super yacht of bars,” adds Smith.

To gain three accolades in two categories is a considerable achievement.

Dandenong Mental Health Facility - National Award for Public Architecture. Bates Smart Irwin Alsop Joint Venture
"An outstanding collaboration between an enlightened client and an architectural team dedicated to setting a new benchmark in design"

UNSW Kensington Colleges - National Award for Residential Architecture - Multiple Housing
"An exemplar student housing project ... demonstrates how a strong, singular design idea and restrained material palette can lead to a rich architectural outcome."

Gantry, Camperdown - National Commendation for Residential Architecture - Multiple Housing
"An intelligent example of how adaptive reuse can be explored."

Matthew Allen is a noted contributor to design competition and award winning projects in the Sydney Studio.

Julian Anderson will relocate from Sydney to Melbourne, bringing large project delivery capacity to the Melbourne Studio.

Edwina McDermott, in the Melbourne studio, will take on a key practice management and operations role.

These Studio Director appointments follow three similar appointments made for the first time in 2013. This newly created position recognises the contributions made by senior staff members and the critical role this depth of leadership and experience plays in the on-going success of the firm.  

The wayfinding is, by necessity, intuitive and clear. On arrival, lifts, stairs, major department entries and information hubs are obvious and immediate with a variety of waiting spaces that allow for both high visibility and quiet reflection. The floor surface is a two-tone honed concrete paver with stone aggregate, cast in a contemporary tessellated pattern that references Victorian threshold tiling.

An intricate ‘woven’ timber ceiling canopy links the main entry of Mercy St to a tranquil garden to the north. The ‘weave’ in the ceiling opens up in the higher recess, creating apertures that allow a combination of natural light to pass through from skylights above, (artificial light where there is building form above), producing a dappled and ever changing quality of light throughout the day.

Construction of the new hospital commenced in 2013 and is due to be finished before Christmas.

Read the press here.