Melbourne architecture and interior design practice Travis Walton Architecture (TWA) will represent Australia at the 2014 FX International Interior Design Awards where one of its hospitality projects has been shortlisted in the ‘Bar or Restaurant’ category.
The FX Awards will be announced 26 November at a black-tie gala at Grosvenor House Hotel, London where TWA’s Sisterfields hospitality project in Bali will compete alongside practices from design focused cities such as London, Prague, Hong Kong, Seattle and New York for the category title.
According to TWA Director Travis Walton, the brief for Sisterfields was to create a venue that would appeal to the sophisticated international traveller and compliment the luxurious surroundings, while maintaining a strong connection between the indoors and outdoors.
“The final design consists of a series of ‘pockets’ that flow seamlessly into one another, including a bright front terrace and entranceway, an airy interior dining space and a private courtyard,” Walton said.
“Bali’s intense heat and humidity and monsoonal rains and winds meant materials needed to be selected as much for their durability and sustainability as for their aesthetic appeal.”
A key design element is the variety of stone-clad serveries that meander throughout the venue, progressing from fresh food display, to point-of-sale, coffee station and bar-top place settings.
Patrons are offered a variety of exterior aspect seating options while a street-front bar area enables dining in air-conditioned comfort while maintaining a strong visual connection with the outdoors.
The architects said the project supported local trades and celebrate Balinese craftsmanship by incorporating locally sourced materials, and achieving sustainability objectives via a vertical garden and full-length windows for cross-ventilation.
“We really enjoyed working on this project and are really pleased with the end result,” Walton said.
“To be shortlisted for the FX Awards is a huge honour, especially considering the company we’re keeping.”
Images: Christopher Leggett.
