Oakwood Premier Hotel Melbourne

The client brief was to design a landmark building, which could offer a different visual and emotive experience when viewed from near or afar, from day or from night. Creating a different experience every time for both onlookers and guests. Whilst the building is by no means the tallest tower by comparison to some of the CBD developments, it stands bold amongst its neighbours. Oakwood's location enables it to be enjoyed from multiple view corridors through the city, nearby Port Melbourne and the freeway. The architectural design strategy focused on form, colour and lighting. The faceted building envelope encourages a forever-changing reflection of light and colour. Façade panels comprising glass and spandrel panels utilise specific colour hues with a varied chromaticity. The grey and bronze façade glazing creates the visual effect of a glistening beacon, shifting from dark greys at the base through to a shimmering bronze at the tower crown. The glistening effect is further enhanced by use of a considered illumination strategy which includes bespoke in-built lighting to the glazing suites to transform the building appearance at night. This is particularly evident when driving past the building on the freeway – as guests arrive in Melbourne from the airport they are greeted with a playful, colourful and illuminated façade which looks almost kinetic – providing a gentle nod to the area’s vibrant industrial past. The focus on ‘experience’ is continued with the interior design approach. Guests of the hotel are greeted with an incredible arrival experience, starting with the luxe porte cochere boasting a bespoke water art installation, leading to the grand lobby and wine bar with stunning art installations by local artist, Mika Utzon Popov. Above the lobby lies a state of the art conference centre, gym, dining rooms and Grand Hall. Sitting atop the 392 suites is the jewel in the crown; a 360 degree Sky Bar offering unparalleled views of the city skyline and Port Phillip Bay.

With each and every project we undertake, we always strive to create architecture that can enrich people’s lives. This is a building which has the ability to positively impact not only its guests, but the broader community of Melbourne as a whole. It will become a catalyst for change in Melbourne’s Fishermans Bend regeneration area, being one of the first completed large-scale projects in the precinct. Extensive consultations with the local community, Council of Port Phillip and The Victorian Government - Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DELWP) resulted in a finished product that is not only a beautiful new addition to the landscape, but is also inviting, liveable, connected and highly functional for both the local community and hotel guests. We believe that architecture should speak to its time and place. The rich industrial history of the site, particularly in automotive and aeronautical industries, played a major part in the design approach, with the façade colours, reflectivity and illumination all combining to create a sense of motion, vibrancy and energy – typical of its past environment.

With Oakwood Premier Melbourne, we have managed to achieve a striking new addition to the Melbourne skyline, unlike any other. The sense of movement and playfulness generated by the hues and faceted reflectivity of the façade interacts seamlessly with the weather and sky, with colours forever changing. It is a building which never sits still. The evening illumination continues this optical illusion when the sun goes down, anchoring its place in the skyline as a true new landmark building. The hotel itself is nothing like what the city currently offers, striking a fine balance between classic and contemporary design features. The impeccable facilities and thriving dining areas both have exquisite 360-degree views of Melbourne, overlooking the Yarra River, Albert Park, Port Phillip Bay, the CBD and Williamstown, with each room bundling together luxury and comfort.