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Projects

Rottnest Hotel Redevelopment

Client: Garrett Hospitality Pty Ltd
Location: Rottnest Island, Perth, Western Australia
Date: January - November 2008
Category: Commercial

The project scope included design, documentation and administration of external works as part of a collaborative team.  A key factor in the ultimate success of the project was striving to gain a thorough understanding of the functional, logistical and maintenance requirements of running a hotel to ensure that the landscape design responded to these critical needs.

A key component of the design was the clear delineation of space through the use of various paving materials that indicate the main circulation routes, patron seating and gathering areas, access points, and maintenance requirements. This legibility of space was designed to ensure efficient function of the hotel. 

Themes, materials and detailing that strongly relate to the Rottnest Island character and specifically the old Quokka Arms Hotel and Governors Quarters, were utilised. A colour palette of warm grey, creams and salvaged Tuart timber in contrast to the bright-green artificial turf colour, are set against an existing backdrop of olive and grey-greens of the existing Rottnest Island tea and olive trees and relate well to the Rottnest Island character. 

Most of the built elements were fabricated in the workshop and shipped to Rottnest to minimise transport and labour costs associated with building on the island.  Uses of sustainable materials for paving, salvaged materials for furniture and decking, and the re-use of inert demolition material for fill were all positive outcomes.

Protection and enhancement of existing historically significant trees, perimeter heritage walls, heritage buildings, and the use where possible of site materials are initiatives which ensured the existing character of the hotel was retained.

All aspects of the Rottnest Hotel project were determined to provide a sympathetic response to the established historical site, ease of construction and maintenance, and the use of sustainable materials and construction methods.  The result is a sympathetic response to a natural site enriched with historical structures which now provides modern amenity and functionality.