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Client: Fortitudo Group
Project Type: Public Bar Redevelopment & Venue Refresh
Status: Completed(2025)
Location: New Farm, QLD
Builder: Open Projects Group
Photographer: Studio Blackardt
Brief
QA Hotel engaged Design Intent Studio to undertake a complete redesign of its public bar, transforming an ageing, inefficient space into a contemporary hospitality environment that remains respectful to the venue’s heritage character. The project also included a targeted refresh of the hotel’s public bathrooms to ensure consistency across guest-facing areas.
Design Intent
The new bar at QA Hotel is designed to elevate both service and guest experience. Repositioned refrigeration, POS, and washing zones, along with clearly defined wet, dry, and service areas, optimise workflow during peak periods. As a visual centerpiece, the bar features a cohesive material palette and thoughtfully layered lighting to enhance ambiance. Durable, high-quality finishes, upgraded flooring, and stainless steel elements ensure long-lasting performance in this high-traffic space.
Project Background & Objectives
The existing bar no longer met operational requirements or guest expectations. The layout restricted staff circulation, equipment placement was inefficient, and finishes felt disconnected from the hotel’s historic atmosphere.
The redesign needed to:
- Establish a visually defining bar that becomes the centrepiece of the venue.
- Improve workflow, equipment zoning and operational efficiency.
- Introduce a material palette that aligns with the heritage fabric of the hotel.
- Elevate the guest experience through lighting, atmosphere and detailing.
- Refresh key bathroom amenities to complement the broader venue upgrade.
Design Intent Studio provided full documentation across all stages, from initial design brief through to final construction drawings.
Key Design Features & Material Strategy
Fluted Stone Bar Front
The fluted stone bar front establishes the bar’s signature identity, introducing rhythm, shadow and strong visual presence. Subtle tonal variation adds depth and complements the building’s heritage palette.
Timber Bar Front Detailing
Vertical timber battens soften the stone frontage, introducing warmth and a refined contemporary layer. Their stained finish enhances texture and creates a balanced contrast against the solidity of the stone.
Timber Bar Top
A solid timber bar top provides a durable, tactile surface while visually anchoring the overall material palette. Its natural grain and warm undertones align seamlessly with the venue’s historical character.
Brass Foot Rail and Hardware
Polished brass detailing is used throughout the bar, including foot rails, brackets and gantry elements. These refined accents reference traditional pub detailing while elevating the overall finish and craftsmanship.
Custom Suspended Gantry with Integrated Lighting
A ceiling-mounted gantry defines the bar’s vertical composition and creates a strong architectural feature. Integrated lighting delivers both functional task illumination and a soft ambient glow, reinforcing cohesion across the material palette.
Back Bar Shelving and Reflective Detailing
Reflective panels behind the bar enhance depth and warmth while supporting product display. Integrated LED shelf lighting adds layered illumination, creating visual interest and atmosphere.
Commercial Bar Functionality
The back-of-bar environment is designed for efficiency and durability, with robust stainless steel work surfaces and fittings that support hygiene, longevity and streamlined workflows.
Layered Lighting
A combination of soft pendant lighting and integrated LED strip lighting creates warmth and atmosphere while subtly highlighting architectural and joinery details throughout the bar.
Challenges & Solutions
Integrating New Design Into a Heritage Framework
Material selections and tonal direction were carefully considered to ensure the new bar complemented the hotel’s historic character without replicating it.
Managing Existing Services & Structural Limitations
Electrical, plumbing and stainless steel layouts were refined to work within existing building constraints while supporting new equipment requirements.
