Project Team
design: Bergstrom Architects
Suppliers
lighting: Mance, Koda
fireplace: Real flame
tiles: Academy Tiles, Earp Bros, DiLorenzo Tiles
furniture: Cafe Culture, Hughes Commercial Furniture
The Colonial hotel was the second hotel renovated by Bergstrom Architects in the Vlandis portfolio and they are currently working on the Coolibah Hotel due for completion early next year. Located in an outer suburb of western Sydney, The Colonial represented a typical suburban venue offering good service in a tidy setting without a great deal of excitement. Bergstrom Architects’ brief was to revamp the overall pub and create a new image for it so that it would become a destination venue for the surrounding suburbs.
The Hotels name “the Colonial” became an inspiration behind the new look and design direction. Instead of shying away from the image of the wild west Bergstrom Architects embraced it and had a bit of fun. There are carpets inspired by cowboy leatherwork patterns, back of bar mirrors styled on saloon bars, gunshot metal screens and tumble weed lights - not to mention the cow horns over the fireplace.
Apart from these few whimsical design elements the remainder of the pub is focused on a contemporary design that will appeal to a wide demographic. A critical aspect of the Vlandis pubs is functionality, both in planning as well as finishes. In this project great care was taken in the selection of durable finishes without sacrificing the desired aesthetics.