Project Overview

Our brief from Canberra Airport (which is privately owned) & Emirates Retail Leisure (Australia) was basically ‘WOW’ us and create a Jewel for their new terminal building & central atrium space... so we set about certainly to do that.

“LIMESTONE” takes its name from Canberra’s origins – as the city is built on what was formerly the ‘limestone plains’. The aim was also to showcase the ‘local’ element which has also been incorporated into every aspect of the bar; from fit-out to food and beverage menu, with an aim of celebrating the excellence of local foods and wines.

Project Commissioner

Emirates Retail Leisure Australia

Project Creator

Patrick Torcasio Design

Team

1. Myself (Patrick Torcasio) and
2. Mr Jit Lal - Ravit CAD Drafting & Design Team
3. VOS Construction & Shopfitters (TAS & NSW)
4. Canberra Airport Retail Team

Project Brief

It’s a really striking space. The bar is clad in individually hand cast recycled glass tiles back illuminated and glow a yellow lime-coloured light like a jewel in Canberra's Crown, teamed with handmade bespoke blue and yellow and aged mirrors, and dark textured Japanese tiles, all held together by softer hand bleached & polished Oak timber elements and floor.
There’s also a certain amount of industrial chic with an open blue glazed cool room exposing the beer kegs and lines.
Limestone is a winner for we plebs who don’t enjoy corporately-paid airline Club membership, we found since its opening that not only is it a place where we travellers can sit and have a nice glass of wine and a bite to eat while we await departure, but it’s actually good enough to warrant a visit to the airport whether you’re travelling or not... as much, the Airport now provides live Jazz music on Friday & Saturday nights. Given the architecture of the atrium space where the bar sits, with its high ceilings, extent of glass and cleverly integrated acoustic treatment it all add to the experience.

Project Innovation/Need

From the open blue glass for viewing into the cool-room to the use of the hand cast glass tiles & the custom hand aged mirrors.
All the finishes where possible are all hand crafted & bespoke.

Design Challenge

There were several problems to consider;
1. How do we create a Jewel that can stand on its own within a vast atrium space & compliment the airport & respect the pride the Airport Owners have with the project.
2. Create a destination & experience that can convince a corporate traveller not to proceed to the free club lounges but rather to stop for a coffee or beer on their way home after a long day. The Bar needed to drawer customers in & hold them.
3. Limestone Bar needed to function along side Emirates other two outlets Tuk-Chop & Hudsons Coffee within a high traffic environment to service customers during peak times efficiently & quickly without adding further stress.

Sustainability

The use of recycled hand cast glass tiles to the bar face

Interior Design - Hospitality

This award celebrates innovative and creative building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes, aesthetic presentation and functionality. Consideration also given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.  

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