Tasked with refurbishing an original iconic art deco 1928 building, Richards Stanisich has imbued Woollahra Hotel with a refined character that reignites the joy of visiting an Australian pub. Positioned on a popular street corner, Woollahra Hotel’s iconic art deco façade had been forgotten from years of makeovers. After beginning the design and construction process during the pandemic, Richards Stanisich soon came to realise the significance that Australian pubs had on the suburb. As such, the architecture firm has employed modern architecture and interior design techniques that won’t prematurely age and instead improve the iconic art deco pub’s character.
To initiate the interaction between street and pub, the architects installed new steel-frame operable glass windows around the façade of the pub. Wanting to keep the heritage aspect of the building intact, the team also looked to employing a contemporary material palette that would sit comfortably in an iconic art deco pub. To achieve this, Richards Stanisich have referenced how pubs used to appear - with bulletproof-like surfaces including tiles that could be washed out. Additionally, polished terrazzo floors, polished timbers and tiled walls imbue a durability to the interior.
To return the exterior’s appeal, the architects have employed new glazed, teal tiles that shine under the new lighting of the awning. As Woollahra Hotel operates throughout the day and into the evening, there is a focus on supplying lighting that uplifts the interior of the pub in a range of conditions. Through wide windows, natural light drenches the interior space during the day, while at night a reinterpretation of the old-school oyster light and indirect lighting from the ceiling creates a soft and gentle illumination. Additionally, acoustics were taken under careful consideration. As such, roof tiles both reference the iconic art deco era and aid with sound absorption.
Additionally, with Bistro Moncur next door, Richards Stanisich wanted to create a space that connected the pub to the upmarket restaurant. Therefore, an intentional selection of warm tones is used to complement the detailed terrazzo floor and help to connect both hospitality venues. After an immense amount of thought and deep consideration to each design aspect chosen, Richard Stanisich has created a multi-generational pub with a quality that will stand the test of time.
00:00 - Intro to the Iconic Art Deco Pub
00:44 - An Asset in a Beautiful Part of Sydney
01:11 - Working During Covid
01:23 - The Clients Brief
01:59 - The Original Facade
02:23 - Improving the Interior and Exterior Interaction
03:54 - The Material Palette
04:19 - Favourite Aspects
04:55 - A Rewarding Atmosphere
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Photography by Felix Forest.
Architecture by Richards Stanisich.
Build by Xant.
Filmed and Edited by The Local Project.
Production by The Local Project.
The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.
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