Garden State Hotel | Technē Architecture + Interior Design

The Flinders Lane Pub is a completely new pub built on the south side Flinders lane, opposite to the entrance to the 101 Collins St office tower. The shell around the new pub is the remnants of the Rosati Bistro, itself a Melbourne icon 20 years ago.

The proposed pub is made up of 5 levels, 4 of which are accessible by patrons.
A public bar greets patrons from Flinders Lane, which gives way to an open courtyard. Central to the project is the garden courtyard beneath a glass roof. The courtyard is host to mature trees, terraced seating and an open bar and kitchen.

The laneway bar lies beneath, connecting the courtyard and Duckboard Place to the rear.
First floor offers a private dining room and balcony overlooking the courtyard and offering views back across the city’s north.
The second floor shares this view across a double height ceiling space and an ornately decorated function space.

1. Design inspiration
• The character and proportion of the exiting building that is being retained as a shell. In particular, it’s materiality and the level change through the site
• The desire for a central garden and how that should be interpreted in the context of an urban / industrial context

2. Materiality and why
Concrete, indicative of permanence, excavation and ability to reflect applied material & texture. Recycled elements from the building include Oregon floor joists into wall panelling, steel beams into columns and structure – character of material, context to the site, subtle layering to the story of the building Botanical/garden references emanate out from the courtyard – rose garden in the basement, fern patterned flooring in the front bar, charred timber in the dining room.

3. Point of difference/unique attributes of project
Within the Melbourne CBD there is probably no other hospitality venue, based on the spirit of a pub, that offers a comparable variety of spaces and experiences under the one roof. Purpose built 4 story pub in the heart of the cbd will be an important social meeting place. Several distinct but linked venues in one location encourage exploration/journey. Mature trees, extent of greenery/foliage contribute to the sense of a hidden garden to be discovered and explored.

4. Atmosphere created through design
Authentic robust material palette, contemporary design with historical referencing – traditional aspect of tiled/timber panelled front bar re-interpreted for an urban crowd Relaxed garden feel