Project Team
Design: Hassell
Lighting: PointOfView
Head Contractor: Schiavello
Suppliers
Carpets and Rugs: RC&D
Furniture: Café Culture, Space Furniture, Interstudio, Jardan, Yazz Furniture, Ke-Zu, Thonet, Insitu, Zenith
Lighting: Euroluce, Temperature Design, Great Dane Furniture, Space Furniture, Corporate Culture
Located within easy reach of the Sydney CBD and commanding spectacular water views, the Parkroyal Darling Harbour nowboasts a bright and contemporary interior. The refurbishment
complements the existing hotel brand, already well established in Asia, and with a growing network of properties in Australia. The design was inspired by the harbour location and the desire to create a hotel that is in harmony with its setting.
A vibrant and fresh colour palette, representing the natural Sydney surrounds of beach and bush, transformed the dark interior of the base building. Neutral greys are highlighted against blue and green to create ‘a sanctuary’ within the urban context. Thoughtful, well
considered design solutions demonstrate cohesion and individuality, evoking a sense of place that exemplifies the locale and waterside connection.
Reception Lobby
Elements such as timber boarding and fabrics, including linen and plush weaves which mimic the patterns and textures found in the Australian landscape, create an inviting ambience in the reception and lift lobby areas. The curved form of the reception was inspired by the connection from the entry driveway to the lobby, providing instant engagement with the surrounding greenery. The illusion of natural light penetrating through the ground floor from the atrium above enlivens the reception lobby.
Guest Rooms
A residential feel was introduced to make guests feel at home, many of whom are business executives or tourists, both individuals and families. The guest rooms evoke a contemporary, ‘crafted’approach creating a relaxed interior sanctuary. With bespoke joinery and freestanding elements, the rooms have a level of flexibility allowing guests to make the space their own.
The club lounge also reflects the warm and comfortable residential theme. Various timber mouldings reinterpret traditional Australian architectural elements and the different areas within the lounge offer a range of environments for guests to enjoy.
Restaurant and Bar
Catering for a wide variety of functions and events, the restaurant and bar include a mixture of furniture settings that enable the spaces to be reconfigured, ensuring maximum functionality. A muted colour palette in the restaurant and bar complements the renowned food and beverage the Parkroyal offers.
Banquet Hall and Meeting Rooms
A neutral, yet dramatic backdrop provides a sophisticated design for the banquet hall and suite of meeting rooms. Intricate patterning and depth within the floor, wall and ceiling treatments adds a further dimension. Again, this palette gives the hotel and its patrons the ability to transform the space to suit specific themes and interior styling for a host of business or social events. These guest facility areas are built around the notion of ‘a welcoming haven to work and relax’.
One of the key challenges of the project was ensuring the hotel remained operational throughout the refurbishment. The highly collaborative approach between the hotel operator, construction manager and HASSELL can be credited for the seamless delivery of the project amid a particularly tight and challenging program.