Australia's Best Designed Bars, Restaurants and Hotels Announced!

BEST BAR DESIGN:  Blacksmith Lake Mulwala by The Stella Collective

The Best Bar category was taken out by The Stella Collective for their work on Blacksmith Lake Mulwala. The judges concluded that it ‘is especially impressive that Mulwala’s pre-existing mid-century buildings were taken into consideration – the project is designed to blend in with its neighbours while simultaneously providing the town with something new and fresh.’ Think vintage pink umbrellas and a 1970s Southern California vibe!

Commendations

Hotel Rose Bay – Richards Stanisich (Rose Bay, NSW)

Locura – Pattern Studio (Byron Bay, NSW)

Paloma Bar & Pantry – Claire Kneebone (Adelaide, SA)

Best Cafe Design:  Via Porta by Studio Esteta

We are already obsessed with this cafe and deli in the suburb of Mont Albert by Studio Esteta. The jurors celebrated the Italian feel and earthy palette, and commended the designers for ‘creating a feel that is tactile and intimate.’ They describe ‘there are materials employed here that are uncommon in contemporary interior design, such as the thick glass used for a large communal tabletop at the front of the room.’

Commendations

Lobbs Café – Techne Architecture + Interior Design (Brunswick, VIC)

Saint Dreux – Arkhe Tekhne (Melbourne, VIC)

Best Hotel Design (Joint Winner) The Calile Hotel by Richards and Spence

This is a big project, with a big budget, and a huge outcome! The Calile Hotel by Richards and Spence in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley is described by the jurors as ‘a prime example of a large budget put to fantastic use.’ The vibe is ‘luxe escapism’ where it feels like you have been transported to a resort, while remaining in an urban area. The jurors highlight the use of a restrained colour palette, white brick, stone and expressed concrete structure, concluding that ‘it already has a sense of the iconic.’

Commendation

United Places Botanic Gardens – Carr (South Yarra, VIC)

Best Hotel Design (Joint Winner): Drifthouse by Multiplicity

If you are in need of a holiday… make it a design winning one! This small boutique in Port Fairy, Victoria is a pared back project by Multiplicity that captures a subtle sense of luxury. The project encompasses a double-storey Victorian bluestone house, an adjacent single-storey Edwardian home, and a newly built garden pavilion and reception centre.

The jurors celebrated the use of reclaimed wood and stone from a local quarry to create a subtle sense of luxury that also reflects the town’s hardscrabble history.

Best Restaurant Design: Di Stasio Citta by HASSELL

Di Stasio Citta by HASSELL on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD is described by the jurors as ‘as much art installation as dining room.’ The design combines striking minimalism with modern uses of technology, to create an immersive environment. The jury felt that Di Stasio Citta was a standout winner that will live on for many years to come.

Commendations

Prince Dining Room – IF Architecture (St Kilda, VIC)

Future Future – Olaver Architecture (Richmond, VIC)

Stamford Park Homestead – Brahman Perera & Jason M Jones (Rowville, VIC)

Burleigh Pavilion – Alexander &CO. (Burleigh Heads, QLD)

Tayim Restaurant + Bar – Welsh + Major Architects (The Rocks, NSW)