New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 34/02C | Page 67

Facing page and above : The restaurant offers casual dining along the street frontage and looks the other way into the mini-rainforested , eight-storey open-air atrium . The ceiling ’ s exposed services and minimalist black fins , contrast the plush velvet seating and marble floor .
Following pages : In the bar , a monolithic emerald green terrazzo bench is set against a backdrop of atrium foliage . restaurant , and is overlooked by guest rooms .
Referencing the open-air space , Woods Bagot ’ s global design leader Domenic Alvaro says organic design and lush-luxe are siblings in an international trend to bring natural beauty and its calming effects into high quality design .
“ Contact with nature is both a basic human and universal need ,” says Alvaro . “ Biophilic design , which integrates architecture and nature – in this instance , urban nature – is increasingly supported by research findings on its wellbeing benefits .”
Overall , the interiors scheme references the colours and textures of the Australian landscape . A palette of richly dark eucalyptus greens and greys are the colours of the bush , with deep blues and greens referencing the harbour .
Guest rooms feature a sophisticated lightindustrial aesthetic . The detailing of materials and form are highly considered with soft , dark tones in the bespoke carpet , walnut and brass accents .
“ The end result is a building that sits comfortably within its CBD context ,” says Fitzpatrick . “ West Hotel is defined by how it is used , and the visual richness of its character and expression .”
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