By Cat Strom
Cat is the editor of totalvenue.com.au
Address: 99 Marine Pde, Redcliff Queensland
Web: monkomohotel.com.au
Phone: 07 33248 6520
Overlooking Moreton Bay with resort-style opulence and a hint of the Caribbean, is the newly completed Mon Komo Hotel. The Mon Komo Hotel is part of the greater Mon Komo development, which comprises residential living, short-stay accommodation and commercial tenancies, and the hotel completes the precinct by offering entertainment and dining options to both its residents and guests.
Brand + Slater Architects were commissioned to design the fit out of the raw building shell and the brief defined spatial planning requirements that were to include: a bistro/dining area, lounge bar, sports bar, gaming room, function rooms as well as an outdoor lounge.
With the coastline only a stones-throw away a key consideration of the venue’s design was to create a strong relationship between the interior and exterior. It would have been short-sighted to ignore the potential that capturing the ocean views offered, as well as the welcome prevailing breezes the site experiences and the opportunity to reinforce the seaside atmosphere through the Hotel’s natural surrounds. The outdoor lounge, which features on the hotel’s prominent street frontage easily takes advantage of these factors, with equal importance given to achieving a powerful connection that continues through to the internal spaces.
A double height space was conceived for the main lounge/bistro area with full height glazing and bi-folding doors opening to the outdoor lounge. The large volume and abundance of natural light, along with unobstructed views and natural breezes makes the internal space feel like an extension of the outdoors. This two-storey void provided the opportunity to install glazing to the mezzanine function rooms which in turn allows a visual connection to Moreton Bay.
The palette of materials for Mon Komo Hotel was chosen to reinforce the main themes and remained consistent throughout, unifying the interior design concept. Minor variations of application and colour were employed to create individual identification of area function, whilst keeping within the overall scheme. Subdued tones and natural materials dominate the palette with an emphasis on timber and stone. Highlights of colour were used in the upholstery selection and custom carpet design and evoke a sense of playfulness with a Caribbean undertone.
Lime-washed timber features heavily throughout the fit out, impressively spanning across the bulkhead over the main bar and servery. The bar’s timber countertop seemingly floats over a rough-finished stone front while the back bar display provides a mirrored recess that allows the stock to dominate. Large pendant lights hang from the generous void with broad, nautical ropes draped throughout the space, subtly adorning the ceiling and reinforcing the coastal motif.
Floor finishes include large-format stone tilling, custom designed carpets and weathered timber boards. The dominant feature of the Sports Bar is the 40 custom-made craypots that hang from the ceiling. A darker timber was selected for the bulkhead over the bar itself, which along with the stone countertop and stacked timber bar front suggest a more intimate ‘den’ feel.
Throughout the hotel, contemporary, comfortable furniture with clean lines was chosen, predominantly in light warm timber with colourful patterned fabrics on the chairs. Simple ottomans and wicker chairs scatter amongst the timber along with the occasional banquette, giving a varied choice of seating options. The outdoor lounge is bound by a sweeping upholstered seat, with the remaining terrace filled with resilient wicker furniture and white canvas umbrellas.
Sound Advice
JVG Sound Lighting & Visual designed and supplied the audio visual aspects of the Hotel including audio, lighting, automation, and security design for this multi-story venue. They chose quality products that could deliver reliability, were aesthetically pleasing so as to not intrude on the architectural appearance, specification and price.
“It was a very long process to make sure everything blended in with the amazing architecture,” commented Jade Golar, managing director of JVG. “We also only had three months to complete the whole installation, so it was a very tight schedule. We have installed a complete one touch automation system for the client covering all areas of human error and custom programming modules.”
There’s been some serious hardware installed at Mon Komo and the venue’s audio comprises J Audio speakers including fourteen SV6I 6 inch white speakers in the sports bar for room fill, two V12 12 inch front of house left and right speakers for the stage and two SV18 s single 18 inch sub woofers mounted under the stage.
There’s also four J Lighting JL-120 120 watt LED moving head spots and two JL-108 moving head wash lights are running off e:cue software on an Ezi control 22 inch touch panel mounted side of stage. XLR input plates are installed on stage for any band or DJ to plug in a stereo input running through the digital audio processor Bose ESP-88. Samsung commercial plasmas supply visual content in the sports bar.
Mon Komo Hotel is a ‘breath of fresh air’ for the Redcliffe community, exemplifying a new design trend and setting precedence for forthcoming hospitality projects. This fit out hopes to encourage future design and planning in the region to place a greater impetus on the physical connection Redcliffe has to Moreton Bay and the themes associated with a seaside community.