The Mill was an opportunity to create a signature venue for the Milperra area, which was also an important aspect of the client’s brief. It has been a major renovation transforming a tired hotel into a new destination family style venue that includes:

-complete branding with extensive signage to the building throughout
-carpark and landscaping refurbishment to the surrounding site
-bistro, lounge, TAB / public bar / gaming / central main bar which services both lounge, gaming and public bar for ultimate efficiency
-extensive new courtyards surrounding the building in 7 areas, including an external entertainment area, BBQ area, a function area and bar
-state of the art kitchen/ loading area and coolrooms
-3 separate amenities for each area
-bottleshop refurbishment
-separate function room with bar and courtyard
-21 room motel accommodation rooms, as a complete motel expansion and upgrade.

The hotel is designed to be open but with a casual luxury in lounge and bistro areas whilst finishes are focused on being contemporary but natural. In all the courtyards, extensive use of red ironbark and recycled timber are used as a feature delivering natural warmth.

The ceiling treatment to the main courtyard is acoustic ply to continue the timber theme and provide a comfortable outdoor ‘room’ and entertainment area. There is use of stone walling to integrate a ‘landscaped’ courtyard effect both externally and internally, with integrated double sided fireplaces for intimacy in the lounge areas. Recycled common bricks are used as a feature wall internally (supplied by Brick Pit).

”The theme was modern industrial to establish an effect that gives a warmth through the re-use of materials,” explained Julia Hopcraft, Bergstrom’s designer for the Mill. “You could say the effect is modern rustic.

”For Bergstrom Architects, efficient planning creating user friendly and practical spaces is always at the top of our consideration when designing a venue.”

In this design great care was taken to create a natural flow of areas while retaining separation when required. Even with the significant size of the main areas a single bar operation was achieved whilst additional bars, such as the outdoor bar and function bar, are utilized only in the peak periods.

There is a strong connection in this pub with the many varied outdoor spaces. All weather seating has been designed into the many courtyards that feed of the different areas. Climate control and complying smoking solution were considered in each outdoor space.

All client groups were considered in the design. The public bar crowd has its own character and space as well as outdoor smoking solutions. The families and kids have been considered in the design of the bistro and its associated kids play areas. While the young and funky at heart can party all night in front of the giant outdoor screen and stage. Function room/conference facilities and on site accommodation was also incorporated into the design.

Being in an industrial area the aim of this pub was to become and destination venue and so to achieve this, a multi use facility had to be designed.

“By the sheer size of the proposition we needed to develop and strong character for the venue that would be warm and in context with its surrounding and its patrons,” remarked Julia. “A modern rustic approach was chosen which offered an opportunity to contrast the sleek modern elements with the warmth and tactile nature of brick, stone and timber. The overall palette is subtle and natural with splashed of contrasting colour adding drama.”

Feature lighting is a focal design aspect in the overall venue design. Each piece has been chosen specifically to either reflect an architectural element in the overall design or to create a specific emotional response. The entry pendants (Red ’Glow Square’ pendant from Lighting Partners Australia) are bold geometric pendants in red signaling the arrival point. The main lounge bar- needed a light that had a big presence hence the custom designed pleated drum (King Shade from Mance Design) was selected with a custom pattern imprinted on the fabric to match the pattern of the also custom designed carpet. The linear nature of the timber ceiling features in the bistro is contrasted by the slick metallic drop pendants (Gamma Illumination) suspended at varied heights. The Public Bar is paired down and masculine, with metallic low profile pendants.

Entry
A dramatic entry has been created with double space volume and water features. Vertical wall paneling with LCD screen displays creates ambience and promotional purposes. Feature pendant lighting and ceiling feature help to create an entry statement.

Bistro
Part of the main lounge area but with implied separation created by the stone clad fire place and banquette seating. The visual dominance of the bold linear carpet pattern is balanced by the natural timber of the furniture. Warmth and tactile character is introduced by the rustic character of the recycled brickwork, natural stone cladding of the fire place and timber cladding to the kitchen servery. The linear theme is repeated in the selection of furniture fabric, carpet and ceiling features. Strong focus on the open kitchen and the food service of the venue is an important aspect of the design and the success of the bistro area. The opening to the bistro is intentionally inviting and open.

Public Bar
The concept behind the public bar was to blend the platinum TAB services and public bar uses into a dynamic sports bar. The design of the TAB joinery was modified to achieve the highest TAB rating while maintaining a casual bar type feel. The aim was to create a space that was comfortable for a punter and the non punter alike. Bold linear carpet pattern is also used to maintain masculinity in the public bar, whilst complementing the timber furniture & TAB joinery.

Main Courtyard features
The main courtyard features in outdoor bar, platform, BBQ area, and dry bar seating. A separate raised timber deck area provides and promotes separate group functions in the outdoor area. Double sided fireplace and AV screens main focus is the large screen – can be viewed from inside and externally catering for large events, performances etc

Features:
Red ironbark hardwood is featured in beams, battens and joinery.
Rustic dry stone walling
Lasercut metal screens ‘Geo Pattern’ (Garden life)
Extensive use of gas heaters (Bromic)
Large screen TV – (TCP)

Lounge
Area divided to lounge and dry bars to promote different groups and is also very open to courtyard with bi-fold windows creating an intimate space which also connects outside.

Features:
Custom designed Carpet (Brintons)
Marburg Wallpaper (South Pacific Fabrics)
Caeserstone bar with inserts to keep clean lines and mirrored back of bar to create reflection of the space, themed with the carpet and wallpaper.
Stone fireplace used to successfully divide the space in bistro, but allowing sight throughout the space whilst maintaining a separation of the lounge from the eating areas.
Various seating types used to divide the function of the space.

Gaming
The gaming is more intimate, with direct access from both the central lounge area, public bar and from the rear of the hotel, allowing patrons access from all areas, whilst having the gaming cleverly concealed from the bistro/lounge public areas with the use of a feature wall, rather than doors.  This provides an effective and inviting entry into the gaming room. It features rich dark timber veneer/ bronzed Marburg wallpaper and luxurious carpet pattern to contrast the bold linear carpet of the other areas.

Other Points of Interest
Function room facility for separate functions, with independent bar, courtyard and kitchen access for fully catered functions, can be separately run for independent groups is a huge advantage to the business potential of the venue. Twenty-one room refurbished existing motel and new motel to provide quality close accommodation to the venue. Refurbished drive through bottleshop also caters for the local market and is an important venue opportunity to increase the revenue of the hotel.

Avsound Productions designed, supplied and installed the audio visual elements inluding masses of JBL speakers all powered by Crown amplifiers. BSS Digital Signal Processing, and an AMX Control System are also featured. A full AV write up will be posted soon.

Photography: Steve Back