Sky Bar Melbourne crowns the Oakwood Premier Hotel at level 40, with unparalleled views across the Melbourne city skyline and out to Port Phillip Bay.
The statement Sky Bar and terrace are complemented by two further bars in a VIP area and in the adjoining fine dining Strato restaurant.
CHT Architects’ brief for the Sky Bar design was to create an ‘elevated experience’.
Its unique location 140 metres high in the sky provides a spectacular backdrop, harnessed by the design, and enveloping the visitor.
Upon arrival, the visitor is immersed in a 360-degree live digital experience that plays live images of the external environment, evoking a sense of flying.
Moving through to the Sky Bar, there is a playful juxtaposition between the interior and exterior – with opulent furnishings and soft lighting complementing the main attraction: the view.
A central back-lit bar crafted from solid glass blocks provides an atmospheric main feature and soft light source.
Darker tones and sophisticated styling, combined with a carefully designed lighting strategy that minimizes glass reflections and removes visual boundaries between the user and the view, further enhance the feeling of being amongst the clouds.
The Sky Bar space is a connected elemental sensory experience beginning from the Hotel ground level entry and flowing through to the 40th level.
The hotel entry is grounded with linkages to place via Yarra River-inspired integrated driveway waterfall and a 3D vertical lobby sculpture before entry to the lobby lift.
Guests are greeted at the lift exit with surrounding aerial view projections evoking a feeling of infinity.
The lift corridor ceiling is deliberately low and the bar partially obstructs the view to enable just a glimpse of the sky views.
Guests are then enticed to advance into the bar for the full, grand 360-degree unobstructed view.
They can relax in the luxurious low-line, tactile furniture and fully experience the sense-provoking surroundings with the further ability to immerse into the sky via the New York-style open-air terrace.
All culminates in a luxurious, unique connection to the Melbourne experience.
The unique location provided the ultimate inspiration to connect to place via an ethereal elemental oasis floating in the sky.
Innovative in its immersion with the surroundings, the Sky Bar required meticulous design curation by CHT Architects and Sora Interiors so as not to detract from the sky location.
This is done through window lines being clear of any built objects to ensure a full 360-degree view and darker interior spaces with the bars being the main light source to create an atmosphere and avoid glazing reflection.
Even bathroom visits provide exceptional unobstructed vistas.
Project Details
Project Size – 810 m2
Site Area – 1,520 m2
Completion Date – 2022
Project Team
Architecture
CHT Architects
Over the past 20 years, CHT Architects has grown to become one of the largest architectural firms in Melbourne by consistently delivering socially, environmentally, and financially successful spaces that enrich people’s lives.
Interior Architecture and Design
Sora Interiors
Sora takes a considered approach to design, researching, and collaborating with their clients to understand the why before the what or how.
Construction
Hamilton Marino
Hamilton Marino Builders is one of Victoria’s most experienced and sought-after multi-level apartment construction companies.
Joiner
A Line Joinery
Established in 1994, A Line Joinery has developed a reputation based on high quality, competence, and serviceability.
Furniture
Brand Works
BrandWorks are a multi-disciplinary team committed to developing strategic design solutions for FMCGs, Hospitality, Commercial Property, Digital Online brands, and Fit-for-Purpose Retail Destinations.
Photography
Tom Blachford
Based in Melbourne, Australia Tom Blachford specialises in Interiors, Architecture, Aerial, and Fine Art photography.
Photo Gallery
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Design © 2022 CHT Architects and Sora Interiors. All Rights Reserved.| Images © 2022 Tom Blachford. All Rights Reserved.
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