Prahran Hotel

Prahran Hotel
© Peter Clarke

PRAHRAN HOTEL

Techne Architecture + Interior Design

ARCHITECTS
Techne Architecture + Interior Design

LOCATION
Victoria, Australia

PROJECT ARCHITECT
Steve McKeag

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Alex Lake

DRAFTSPERSON
Melita Kei, Francois Claassens

PROJECT/DESIGN DIRECTor
Justin Northrop

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER
NSP Geotechnics Pty Ltd

INTERIOR DESIGNER
Bianca Baldi

AREA
550.0 sqm

PROJECT YEAR
2013

PHOTOGRAPHS
Peter Clarke

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Parkhill Freeman

LIGHTING
Light Projects

LANDSCAPING
Ayus Botanical

INTERIOR DESIGNER
Bianca Baldi

ACOUSTIC ENGINEER
Burton Acoustic Group

Text description provided by architect.

The Prahran Hotel is a substantial two storey corner pub with a striking streamlined art deco facade. The rear of the venue had a poorly proportioned, internalised single storey extension and the clients brief for the project called to demolish and replace it with a dramatic double height space with a central courtyard.

Prahran Hotel
© Peter Clarke
Prahran Hotel
© Peter Clarke

The use of large stacked concrete pipes for the street facade of the addition struck a chord for multiple reasons:

they have a depth and can be interactive, they have a dramatic, sculptural quality, they reference existing internal circular motifs and they suggest stacked kegs or barrels.

Prahran Hotel
© Peter Clarke
Prahran Hotel
© Peter Clarke
Prahran Hotel
© Peter Clarke

A steel glazed courtyard cuts through the interior, connecting both levels and allowing ample natural light to flood the space.

A floating booth made of half pipes is supported on steel posts and accessed via a steel gantry that traverses the room.

Much of the steel structure is exposed and the concrete finish of the pipes and precast form the base of the interior palette of materials, contrasting this is the warmth of recycled spotted gum and leather upholstery and the freshness of the planting that is woven throughout the interior.

Prahran Hotel
© Peter Clarke
Prahran Hotel
© Peter Clarke

Whilst the space has the appeal of some spatial drama, the design’s success will be measured by the quality of the ambience and intimacy of the interior.

Much effort was made to ensure that patrons have a variety of ways of gathering: private spaces contrast more social areas, there are places for couples and larger groups, and the circulation loops through both levels which encourages a voyeuristic procession through the old and new areas of the pub.

Prahran Hotel
© Peter Clarke


Prahran Hotel
© Peter Clarke
Prahran Hotel
© Peter Clarke
Prahran Hotel
© Peter Clarke
Prahran Hotel
© Peter Clarke


Prahran Hotel
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Prahran Hotel
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Prahran Hotel
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Prahran Hotel
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Prahran Hotel
Plan
Prahran Hotel
Plan