Gray Puksand was engaged to refurbish the iconic yet aging Crowne Plaza Hotel to reposition its standing in Melbourne’s competitive hotel market.
Their design introduced a new porte-cochère and entry overlooking the Yarra River.
That element provides a striking arrival experience through a pedestrian-scale design offering an intimacy that places the emphasis on guests rather than vehicles.
Fine timber-look linear elements bridging the driveway act as a visual and physical barrier offsetting the existing heavy structure and form while offering protection from the elements.
Internally, the demolition of an existing central staircase facilitates better use of the central atrium space to deliver a true air of grandeur upon arrival.
Perhaps the most unique architectural aspect of this Gray Puksand design was the delivery of thirty new guest rooms suspended from the underside of the existing hotel building.
The lightweight structure and cladding they deployed allowed the forms to be suspended from the underside of the existing hotel building above the driveway, offering a creative solution to room demand.
Project Details
Completion Date – 2021
Project Team
Architecture
Gray Puksand is a leading Australian architecture and integrated design practice with studios in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
They create places of integrity designed to improve the way people work, learn, and live.
Photography
Peter Clarke
Peter is an established photographer with over 20 years’ experience in his field. He has extensive knowledge and experience documenting the built environment, as well as natural and man-made landscapes.
Photo Gallery
Click on a thumbnail image to enlarge.
Design © 2022 Gray Puksand. All Rights Reserved.| Images © 2022 Peter Bennetts. All Rights Reserved.
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