Broached Consulting

Bar Studio had both the privilege and burden of working on an interior design package for one of Australia’s most important colonial structures, the Lands Building. Sitting in the Sandstone Precinct of Sydney, it is distinguished by the fact that it is possibly one of the longest serving bureaucratic offices in the city.  

Within the alcoves of the Lands Building are figures, carved from sandstone, who are memorialised for their great achievement in opening up the frontier lands of Australia. This is a building that celebrates the exploits of colonisation, preserving the records of land acquisition and exchange.  

Broached worked on a narrative that synthesized the colonial history with the interior demands of a contemporary five-star hotel. This narrative was used by Bar Studio as a bed of creative and historical knowledge from which to pull inspiration and direction.

The result was a Creative Director’s statement that articulated numerous storylines, reflecting upon the more progressive figures during the cut and thrust of colonial expansionism. Bar Studio, who are sensitive to issues of colonisation, utilised this creative direction as a catalyst for aspects of their design response.