Project Overview

Distinctive, vibrant and unmistakably modern, Crown Metropol hotel challenges tradition and expresses a sense of individuality with unorthodox elements, dramatic shapes and earthy, grounded silhouettes.

Inspired by liquid mercury, the hotels soft lines are enhanced by a shimmering reflective skin. The sensual, fluid form of the building seamlessly flows through to the refined interiors of the hotel.

The 28-level Metropol features a unique wave-like shape, sleek futuristic podium entry, 658 spacious guestrooms, luxurious day spa, sky bar and terrace, Gordon Ramsay’s maze restaurant and maze grill, extensive meeting and business centre facilities and a world-class training and recruitment facility.

Project Commissioner

Crown Limited

Project Creator

Bates Smart

Team

Roger Poole
Kristen Whittle
Jeffery Copolov
Claudia Fleuter
Fulvio Facci
Mirjana Sazunic
Roger Chapman
Andrew Raftopoulos
Grant Filipoff
Kendra Pinkus
Jan Eastwood
James Christophidis
Mark Di Bortolo
Anke Pfeiler
Ben Nicholas

Project Brief

Our brief was to create Australia's largest hotel , including 658 guest rooms in its extensive programme, while achieving the bespoke charactistics of a contemporary boutique property and exciting international destination. Bates Smart was commissioned to create soft architectural form encasing soft interior space.

In response, the design of Crown Metropol breaks free from conventional boutique hotel typologies to explore the contemporary redefinition of an urban retreat. The resulting architectonic character is a study in the vitality and seduction of rich urban experience via the juxtaposition of fluid sculpted forms and bold pragmatic statement.

Visitors enter between the existing buildings and the new hotel tower buildings and into Metropol’s Porte Cochere arrival space. This area organises the entry experience for car and coach bound passengers into a fluid and theatrical experience dramatised by the expansive use of full height steel blades which form a textured screen through which the polished fluid forms of the podium seemingly disappear.

The unique programme of elements work in unison within the podium and continue to the top of the building where the lap pool is overlooked by the sky bar and terrace. From this spectacular vantage point the guest experiences panoramic views over Melbourne’s skyline and beyond.

The resulting hotel, showcases Melbourne from a new, contemporary angle and enables the city to be watched, experienced and ‘read’.

Project Innovation / Need

We took a unique approach to spatial planning and developed the design from the “inside out”. The loose ‘s’ shaped form of the building allowed us lower the overall height of the building while accommodating the extensive programme.

The curve of the building creates an interior experience that is continually revealed for the guest. There are no long “gun barrel” corridors confronting guests, creating that awful anonymous hotel experience.

Premium north south orientation and positioning of service cores were integral to design rationale. By precisely adjusting the architectural curves, guest rooms views are optimized.

The cladding strategy enhances the signature building form. Dropped shadows and pockets of reflection are created within the twisting polished form. Dark coloured delicately trimmed aluminium fins cluster together in a diagonal pattern across the west façade.
3D modeling programmes allowed us to customise the fin elements while working within the confines of a rigorous budget. Emerging in and out of the shadow gap between the glass panels, the fins build a sense of surprise, dynamic shift and changing appearance when approaching the hotel from different sides. The sensuous appearance of the building is thus enhanced.

We challenged typical hotel spatial planning. For example we persuaded our client to sacrifice the prestige “Penthouse” space at the top of the building usually earmarked for suites. Instead we recommended a full size infinity pool in a double height space to be located on the top of the building, together with a generous gym and luxury spa.

Design Challenge

The investment in Metropol is significant, yet our client made the bold decision to build a hotel type that is unique in Australia – a large 658 room “boutique” hotel.

Our challenge lay in creating a pleasing layered composition of facade elements which belie the economic restraint of this large scale building occupying the 100 metre long site.

The podium areas are planned into a series of stratified bands of program deliberately shaped into organic linear spaces which culminate around the main spiraling staircase that links the upper and lower levels of the foyer. A sense of movement is experienced throughout, but is most boldly expressed on Clarendon Street where a large pod like form made from a looping strip of curved polished aluminium creates a surprising lower level signature to the complex.
These elements create a bold dramatic statement contributing to the neighborhood context.

The sinuous form of the building was carefully segmented to maximise the number of rooms with a minimal number of variant modules.

Not only does our design fulfill a particular aesthetic brief but it also meets exacting standards for technical performance and functionality. Careful spatial planning of service cores, maintenance and loading areas ensures the hotel operates smoothly. This has a major impact on our client’s profitability as well as the guests’ experience.

Sustainability

Metropol is built to 5* green star NABERS Standard incorporating leading edge ESD technology as listed below:

The ground floor has under floor heating affording improved comfort levels. AC systems to run at a 30% reduction.

Variable air flows to Maze restaurant and level 28. Maze is west facing so AC systems adapt to manage heat loads to minimise AC usage and maintain comfort levels, resulting in 80% energy savings.

Architectural glazing utilizes high energy performance fritted glass to reduce heat load to building.

Best of breed chiller plant and co generation plant are incorporated resulting in energy savings.

Rainwater tanks for collection of rainwater are installed on site.
Swimming pool has heat recovery system using warm in inside pool area to reheat incoming cool air. Air conditioning is set for peak and low use times reducing energy consumption.

Guestroom bathroom ventilation runs at variable speeds, full speed at peak periods and reduced flow off peak and nighttimes to adapting to usage demand.

Designers adapted interior colour palettes .“Cold” energy efficient lighting does not compromise the warmth required of a hotel/residential style space.

Local materials used extensively e.g. Extensive use of bluestone as flooring material through ground floor and adjacent precincts
Guest rooms mostly have showers, not bathtubs , more water efficient
Water saving sanitary fittings used throughout.

please note: . Crown Limited have not at this point elected to have the building rated.

Architecture - Commercial - Constructed

This award recognises the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow. The project must be constructed.
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