Oakwood, Southbank in Melbourne is a 40 story luxe hotel comprising a 6 storey podium that including retail, communal and public spaces, back-of–house hotel operational facilities and car parking. The level 6 podium and terrace includes a gym, co-working and recreational spaces, a boardroom and outdoor terraces.

An incredible arrival experience awaits the future guests of the hotel, starting with the luxe porte cochere leading to the grand lobby and wine bar. Above, there’s 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 Skybar offering unparalleled views of the city skyline and Port Phillip Bay.

Oakwood has a contemporary and modern aesthetic, combining a sense of grandeur with a design approach that is inherently suited to the culture of Melbourne.

By utilising specific hues and varied chromaticity, the grey and bronze façade glazing creates the visual effect of a glistening beacon, shifting from dark greys through to 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.

The use of Raked structural columns and a cantilevered design allow the building to effectively ‘float’ over the newly created laneway and porte cochere entry experience

Iconic Melbourne landmarks heavily influenced the vision for the interior architecture and design and complemented the building architecture. The client brief allowed for unrestricted creativity, which resulted in commissioning artist, Mika Utzon Popov, to create a tactile 3D vertical lobby entrance wall installation. Popov’s work was inspired by Melbourne’s Yarra River and provides an awe-inspiring entrance. The installation ties to the driveway waterfall wall that incorporates a pattern of the Yarra River from a bird’s-eye view, captivating visitors as they enter and setting a scene for the Oakwood experience.

LOCATION: Southbank

COMPLETION: 2021

STOREYS: 40

Photography by Oliver Lagasca, Rhiannon Taylor, Hannah Caldwell