Project Team

design: Redgen Mathieson

Hotel Realm is a 5-star hotel located in Barton, Canberra, adjacent to the Parliamentary Triangle. The 158-room hotel opened in 2007 and in 2013 began a refurbishment programme including the hotel meeting rooms, and the National Ballroom lobby areas. In 2015 the hotel commenced an upgrade to the standard hotel Guest Rooms and the Executive Suites.

The hotel’s meeting rooms were replanned to provide four individual boardrooms opening to a dedicated lobby area. Black glass panels with concealed perimeter lighting ‘bookend’ the boardrooms and provide a background to television screens or function as ‘whiteboards’. A deep charcoal coloured palette of wall panels, carpet and tiles, is punctuated by highly contrasting white boardroom tables and chairs.

The National Ballroom lobby areas are located on level one overlooking the hotel atrium and hotel lobby. A wall of woven brass wire mesh panels, with concealed acoustic fabric, enlivens the lobby space. Dark stained timber panelled doors with brass inlaid handles lead to the Ballroom foyers and the Ballroom beyond. A graphic charcoal carpet anchors the Lobby space and provides continuity with the existing grey limestone column and atrium cladding.

The refurbished and expanded Excutive Suites allow guests a choice of two distinct experiences.

The first suite has been reconfigured to create a large open plan space. Sleeping, dressing and bathing areas are connected to create an open spatial sequence allowing light into the deepst part of the suite, and also ensuring views from each space. Pivoting oak battened doors provice a high level of detail and the ability to close of each space. Soft lighting, customised furniture and a palette of timber, limestone and leather creates an atmosphere of refined luxury. Dark steel accents provide contrast to the neutral backdrop.

The second suite features a richer paletter with an emphasis on contrast and texture with a palette of silks, leather, timber and wool. The bathroom incoporates warm timbers and brown limestone to create a dark and luxurious mood.