Fiona Lynch Office (FLO) seamlessly incorporates artisanal expertise and the distinctive history of the site to craft the award-winning Kiln restaurant and bar at Ace Hotel Sydney.

FLO has designed a space that captures the essence of Ace Sydney, resonating with the Australian landscape through a palette of filtered, luminescent hues. This design stands as a testament to the intrinsic craftsmanship and distinct colours inherent in the project, showcasing the studio's dedication to sustainability and collaborative multidisciplinary efforts.

Situated on the highest floor of the 18-storey building, Kiln is an integral part of the inaugural Ace Hotel, Sydney. It features two dining areas, two bars, a lounge, and two terrace dining spaces with a retractable roof, each adorned with its unique patina. The location pays homage to the building's rich history as a former warehouse that once sheltered one of Australia's oldest known kilns and later transformed into a garment factory.

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The design incorporates predominantly locally sourced materials, with a conscious selection of Australian elements. FLO specifically opted for regional materials, including Australian stone for the bar and floors sourced from nearby quarries. Various Australian timbers, such as Tasmanian Huon Pine, recycled Birdseye Stringybark, and Blackbutt, were used for both the flooring and custom furniture. Notably, reclaimed Oregon was employed for much of the bespoke furniture. In a pioneering move, Australian lighting designer Volker Haug of Volker Haug Studio introduced a custom, alchemically nuanced, ombré finish brass sprayed onto aluminium for the central utility room, marking a distinctive first in design.

The local artisanal philosophy extended to the creation of custom-designed textiles for Kiln. In a groundbreaking initiative, the FLO team salvaged materials from the construction site, crushing them to produce pigments that were meticulously hand-painted onto Belgian linen. Collaborating with Spacecraft Studio, Lynch orchestrated the design of a distinctive, custom-printed textile that adorns multiple walls and frames the windows.

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In the lighting design for the project, Oluce Coupé floor and table lamps, designed by Joe Columbo, played a key role. These lamps were specially customised with a seared earth colour finish, carefully chosen to harmonise with the colour palette inspired by the Australian landscape. The deliberate customisation aimed to seamlessly integrate the lighting elements with the overall design concept.

To enhance the ambiance further, Flos Bellhops by Barber & Osgerby were strategically placed on each table. The choice of these lamps contributed to the creation of a warm and cosy atmosphere within the space. The careful selection of lighting fixtures was instrumental in achieving the desired mood and functionality.

Complementing the overall lighting scheme, additional decorative lighting was introduced, featuring the minimalist aesthetics of Oluce Agnoli. This choice added a layer of sophistication to the design, contributing to the overall visual appeal and creating a cohesive and well-integrated lighting concept within the project.

The tactile quality of layered materials, combined with the impactful use of bold colours like the striking blue resin wall that welcomes guests upon entry, showcases the Studio's adeptness at effortlessly blending warm, organic elements with dynamic, boundary-pushing materials, textures, and finishes.

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Project details

Project: Kiln at Ace Hotel

Location: Sydney

Project Type: Hospitality

Interior Design: Fiona Lynch Office

Lighting Designer: Electrolight

Products Used: Bespoke finish Oluce Coupé, Oluce Agnoli, Flos Bellhop

Awards: 2023 Best Restaurant Design, Eat, Drink, Design Awards

Photographer: Pablo Veiga

Architecture & Design Team

Euroluce Lighting Australia

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