colour fest

The Orchidstra Cocktail bar

The gradation, repetition and mathematical creation in nature is what makes the concept of this cocktail bar....

This conceptual pop up pavilion is designed to accompany the festive and celebration vibe of the annual Sydney Festival to encourage patrons to relax, socialise and have fun. It’s deeply inspired by nature, the urban scene of Sydney and Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.

The gradation, repetition and mathematical creation in nature is what makes the concept of this cocktail bar. Starting from the middle, and swirling up to the top like a blossoming flower, all individual instruments combine together to create a beautiful symphony and earn the name of The Orchidstra.

When you enter the space of The Orchidstra the dark Resene Aquapoxy floor is designed to reflect the string art installation. Bold Resene Big Bang (fluoro orange) sets the stage with softer Resene Wax Flower (apricot rose), Resene Mellow Yellow (warm yellow) and Resene Tasman (soft aqua grey) providing a rhythmical palette on the painted strings, each curve painstakingly mathematically calculated to form the shape.

To fulfil the colour and festive atmosphere, a hair colour bar is built into the pavilion. Using semi-permanent hair colours all can enjoy the fun and creativity of changing hair colour for a new style during Sydney festival, while having delicious cocktails custom designed for the event.

The focal point of the bar has recycled plastic tiles as the negative space, with a beautiful curved luxurious lounge and the string art backdrop. This is a destination space where guests take their social media photos to another level.

This project won the Resene Total Colour Rising Star Award for students. The judges said “this bar imagines a world where painted string in a pop up bar space adds delicate whimsical colour in spiralling swirls. It’s a unique twist on colour application. Painted strings are arranged to create a rhythm of colour, beautiful from all angles. A clever concept that embraces and celebrates colour so well.”

Designer: Rachel Mao
Winner: Resene Total Colour Rising Star Award
Project: Resene Total Colour Awards 2019
From the Resene News – issue 4/19