Trends
Australian Bartender Magazine - October 09

Squillace Nicholas Architects brings together the combined experience of architects Vince Squillace and Patrick Nicholas and their architectural and interior design team. The team at Squillace Nicholas Architects are experts in hospitality and stressing that they are dedicated to client satisfaction, creative and sustainable design and on time/on budget project delivery. We're told they specialise in designing memorable hospitality venues in heritage buildings in sensitive and beautiful environments.

You'll undoubtedly recognise their work from their extensive bar/hospitality portfolio which includes: Hugos Manly (their latest bar project), Manly Bathers Pavilion, Shore Club Manly, Verde Restaurant, Mean Fiddler Hotel, Union Hotel, all in Sydney and Grand Central Station in Brisbane.

Both Squillace and Nicholas have put their heads together to answer some questions:

What was your brief for this project and how was it fulfilled?
"The brief was to adapt the Hugos brand to fit the Manly harbourside and heritage wharf context. The restaurant takes advantage of expansive water views while maintaining an intimacy with Manly locals and everyday ferry commuters. Typical of light and open timber wharves, internal and external boundaries are blurred. Recycled Australian timbers are featured in walls, floors, ceilings, bar surfaces and designed furnishings throughout."

Is there a particular feature from this venue that you are proud of?
"The adaptive reuse of the old wharf structure; the versatile verandah responds to the environment, layers of blinds peel back to suit any climate, to protect against glare, salt spray, rain and wind. Also the way in which the south western edge of the verandah opens up the great vista through the wide corner. Layering of spaces, breaking down the edges to create shaded, protected and intimate spaces within. And the way in which the external wharf language is reinterpreted internally."

What materials or products have you found to be particularly popular in bar design over the last 12 months?
"Wallpaper, timber ceilings, metallic tiles, bronze mirrors, chandeliers, white furniture."

What products and materials do you think will be 'hot' in 201O?
"Anything honest and authentic. Graphics to walls, floors and ceilings, super graphics and digital graphics. Also think about automation controlling heating, lighting, sound and POS."

Are there any exciting bar projects that you're currently working on?

"A restaurant in the 1930's inter-war Mediterranean style - Manly Bathers Pavilion on the waterfront at Federation point, Manly. A new copper roofed fine dining pavilion has been built with 180 degree views south of the harbour, the heritage ballroom has been restored as a casual dining space with fireplace, lounge seating."

Describe your ideal bar of the future.
"A series of intimate spaces around a larger space, populated to create atmosphere. Medium sized adaptable reused heritage structure. Comfortable seating is a must with emphasis on booths, dining rooms, and perhaps a tapas menu. Honest, durable, beautiful and evocative materials and finishes. Think longevity in design; creating something that is adaptable in the future. And finally the bar of the future must be environmentally sustainable, with cross ventilation, natural day lighting and be connected to the elements, internal gardens, etc."