Cala

BRIEF:

Deliver a modern and contemporary food and beverage experience for the iconic Winston Hills Hotel.

 

EXPERIENCE:

Respecting the hotel’s existing mid-century and Japanese-inspired architecture, we preserved most of the original floors and layout. Nostalgic design elements – like the original Frank Lloyd Wright wall lights – were retained and served as inspiration for the structural forms throughout the interiors. The existing fireplace was also preserved and enhanced, creating intimate, fire-side cocoons for guests to enjoy.

The space tells the story of a worldly muse – a glamorous traveller who collects objet d’art and stories from across the globe. Her love of Asian-fusion and mid-century design weaves its way through the venue, reflecting her passions for music, fashion, art, and cuisine.

Cala is a space to revel in indulgence, where rich flavours and sparkling moments meet, and tales of adventures are shared.

Cala Alfresco

BRIEF:

Create a multi-seasonal alfresco experience in the iconic Winston Hills Hotel that connects with the outdoors and is soaked in natural light all year round.

EXPERIENCE:

Designed to complement the Cala’s interior spaces, the alfresco area respects the hotel’s existing mid-century and Japanese-inspired architecture.

To retain the venue’s heritage and character, we preserved much of the Winston’s original flooring and layout, including loving references to its original stacked stone fireplace.

Scattered with intimate nooks, this alfresco bistro offers an array of seating and ambience for every kind of gathering. Hidden behind plant screens and cabinets filled with curiosities, patrons can discover secluded alcoves or take a seat at the cocktail bar. Every corner is thoughtfully designed, exuding glamour and opulence.

Coogee Diggers

BRIEF:

Uncover and highlight the 1930s Art Deco roots of The Cornerhouse at Coogee Diggers, while layering the venue with the raw, industrial grit of Sydney’s Inner West.

EXPERIENCE:

We’ve reclaimed the old pub where sailors and soldiers once gathered, giving it a fresh, cheeky upgrade for its local patrons. Classic Art Deco features now share space with playful street art, tattoo-inspired illustrations, bold patterns, and tongue-in-cheek taxidermy.
The venue blends old and new materials, embodying the site’s rich history while being reborn as a modern, expressive space. Patrons have a choice of outdoor café dining, bar seating for convenience, or cosy social booths.
The café area is inspired by the warm functionality and vintage charm of New York delis, with a quaint coffee nook and a breakfast café. The Sports Bar takes inspiration from grungy Inner West pubs, complete with kitsch carpeting. The lounge brings a heritage ‘sailors and soldiers’ den feel, mixing traditional elements with industrial modernity.
It’s more than just a classic Art Deco corner pub – this is a venue where history, culture, and modern life collide.

Victoria Ave. Foyer

BRIEF:

Create an inviting entrance for Victoria Ave. Foyer to serve as the Chatswood RSL’s central hub, where guests are welcomed and guided to the variety of experiences and eateries on offer.

EXPERIENCE:

Nestled within the vibrant, multicultural heart of Chatswood, Chatswood RSL is a relaxed and welcoming venue for family gatherings, catch ups with friends, and celebrating life’s special moments. The lobby is designed to capture this spirit; a first impression that exudes warmth, defined by natural, organic forms that flow seamlessly and harmoniously.
A sculptural water feature welcomes guests into the space and sets a tranquil tone, complementing the subtle oriental design influences, from shoji screens to a Japanese Zen Garden-inspired carpet. Touches of red, blue, and gold – each carrying Feng Shui significance – are thoughtfully woven throughout the venue. Mountain motifs – symbolising stability, support, and protection – are incorporated to strengthen and balance the space.
Earthy tones and rich textures add depth and tactility, while sculptural elements and ambient lighting enliven the senses. A seamless connection to the venue’s façade unifies the design, creating cohesion through the Club, inside and out.

Yogi’s

BRIEF:

Create an energetic, action-packed Sports Bar, offering Chatswood locals a unique and experiential go-to destination.

EXPERIENCE:

Welcome to Yogi’s – a modern take on the classic American Sports Bar, infused with an electric energy. The space is a sensory overload, brimming with nostalgic touches and countless nods to the world of sports.
Every corner catches the eye, from 70s-inspired muted hues to vibrant murals, neon signage and graphic elements. Masculine and punchy, Yogi’s is a visual feast for sports fans and arcade game enthusiasts alike.
Design details are inspired by sporting venues, incorporating materials like cage wire, dugouts, grandstand seating, and athletic tracks. A separate Games Zone is packed full of family-friendly games, from a jumbo foosball table to electronic darts, while the mezzanine floor offers a quieter place for guests to enjoy their meals without missing a moment on the big screens.
Vibrant colour blocking and dynamic visuals turn Yogi’s into more than just a bar – it’s a destination where sports culture and style collide.

Mona St. Foyer

BRIEF

• Provide a welcoming and memorable first impression for patrons and guests of the Bankstown Sports Club and Mercure Hotel.
• Integrate intuitive wayfinding elements in a space flooded with natural light, facilitating easy navigation through the venue.

 

EXPERIENCE

We utilised organic forms to establish harmony within the venue’s irregular floor plan, providing a tranquil and inviting atmosphere for guests.

Elevated ceiling heights and suspended design elements enhance the double-height space, allowing natural light to permeate and illuminate the area.

A neutral base palette, enriched with dramatic textures and tonal variations, complements and creates cohesion with the alternate Restwell Street Lobby entrance.

High-contrast black accents and polished surfaces are juxtaposed with a tonal base palette, achieving a timeless – yet theatrical – result.

Ambient lighting accentuates the textural finishes, adding depth and shadow to the foyer space.

 

 

Taffy’s 3.0

BRIEF:

Revitalise a faded pub and create a vibrant indoor-outdoor Sports Bar; the ultimate destination to catch every major sporting event, imbued with the quintessential Taffy’s energy.

EXPERIENCE:

Set within the leafy backdrop of Winston Hills Hotel, Taffy’s 3.0 channels rock ‘n’ roll, cuffed denim and James Dean-cool.
Blending an American diner aesthetic with a bold red, white, and powder blue palette, Taffy’s 3.0 mixes nostalgia with modern flair. Retro-style seating, a curved main bar, and illuminated lightbox signs are accented by Taffy’s signature graphic murals.

Taffy’s lounge area offers prime seating for sports fans; a laid-back spot to catch every play on the giant screens. When Friday night rolls around, the atmosphere shifts as the house DJ turns the space into a buzzing dance floor.

Taffy’s also boasts an inviting outdoor dining area fitted with large screens, where guests can enjoy their meals without ever missing a moment of the game.

Dim Joy House

BRIEF:

Design a modern Asian-fusion and yum cha restaurant that brings families together, blending tradition and culture with a fresh, contemporary dining experience.

EXPERIENCE:

Dim Joy House is shaped by an interplay of modern design and Asian influences.

Intricate timber panelling interweaves with ornate wallpaper, while ceilings pay homage to the awnings found in traditional Buddhist temples.

Feng Shui principles guide our design, including the tranquil water feature at the restaurant’s entrance; a symbol of beauty and tranquillity.

Rich tones of jade and ruby red are meaningfully scattered through the space, appearing in both furniture and finishes to evoke luck and prosperity.

Patrons can choose to dine beneath paper lantern-style pendants in the main dining area or enjoy the intimacy of the private bookable rooms.

The interior is defined by a layered, textural palette, bringing warmth and sophistication to every corner.

International Banking Client

This paired-back and utilitarian workspace is designed for the Australian head office of a confidential Japanese client. Boasting expansive view of the iconic Sydney Harbour, the workspace makes a statement while respecting the prime location. The neutral palette focuses on textural application – the drama of the views taking centre stage.

The client’s requirement for Covid-safe workstation screening and distancing creates a flashback workplace reminiscent of the past, while also being crafted to appear futuristic in form.
The material strategy was focused around honouring traditional Japanese makers and techniques, while respecting the client’s need for non-permeable materials required for their hygiene regimes. Both were achieved without compromise. Hand-made Japanese tiles sit next to shou-sugi-ban timber clad forms, while hand-trowelled wall and floor finishes ground the design – connecting to a commercial form of wabi-sabi.

Situated in a 5-star Nabers building, the sophisticated workspace is the embodiment of the mid-pandemic workspace design era. But space has been showcased rather than imposed and is used to reveal subtle details that might otherwise be overlooked in a crowded area.

Taffy’s 2.0

Situated on the Central Coast, Taffy’s 2.0 is little brother to the popular Taffy’s Sports Bar in Sydney.
This iconic venue’s next generation embraces the same ethos – a boldly graphic, packs-a-punch sports bar that enhances the buzz and rowdiness of a good match and is all about celebrating game time.

The bar boasts 2 large screens and main event areas for the crowd, alongside 50’s diner–inspired private booths with their own viewing screens. To complement the experience and encourage feelings of nostalgia, the materiality and palette was inspired by an acid-wash of 50’s sporting colours and the mustards and reds of a game-side hot dog.

Even empty, the bar captures a rowdy and loud atmosphere befitting a sports celebration through graphic murals that compete deliberately with patterned floors and fabrics.
All surfaces provide opportunity for excitement and discussion. Collaborations with graphic artist and mural artists transform the venue into a painted canvas. It’s an immersive experience that matches the colour and movement of a game in play.

Taffy’s 2.0 provides the Central Coast with its only true sports bar, offering patrons a completely new experience in the area – blending the excitement of a good night out with the comfort of a good night in.