Project Overview
Tablefive was commissioned to transform the atrium space within the Ponsford Stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) into the Ponsford Atrium Bar, a destination that seamlessly blends modern sports bar aesthetics with the dynamic energy of one of Australia’s most iconic sports venues. This high-end bar, commissioned by the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) / Delaware North, offers fans a sophisticated environment with flexible seating and an inviting sports bar ambiance that appeals to both men and women. The design integrates key elements to enhance the visitor experience.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Polly Glaysher Pagh: Creative Director / Design Lead
Sahan Kekiriwaragoda: Designer
Dan Angley: Documenter
Project Brief
The client brief aimed to transform the empty atrium within the Ponsford Stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) into a dynamic and welcoming sports bar appealing to both men and women during AFL and cricket seasons. The design incorporated several key elements to achieve this.
Digital screens were installed on the 11.8-meter-high concrete walls at both ends of the atrium to provide live coverage and enhance the viewing experience. A food station with two serving windows was integrated to efficiently handle peak crowds.
With entry points at both ends of the atrium, creating a sense of arrival from either direction was crucial. This was achieved through thoughtful design that welcomed visitors and directed them naturally toward the central bar area. The bar was strategically positioned to showcase views of Melbourne's CBD skyline and ensure ample room for queuing without disrupting movement.
Overall, Tablefive's design transformed the atrium into a vibrant, functional space that met practical needs while providing an engaging atmosphere for fans attending events at the MCG.
Project Innovation/Need
Tablefive drew inspiration from the MCG's brutalist architecture to capture a sports bar aesthetic, embracing the stadium's raw and powerful concrete form. The design incorporated industrial-inspired finishes with materials such as glass bricks, reclaimed brick tiles, timber flooring, and mesh, adding texture and depth.
A standout feature is the 13-metre illuminated glass brick bar, positioned in front of a triple-height glazed wall offering panoramic views of Melbourne's CBD. This bar serves as a central gathering point and a striking visual element. The glass bricks create a sleek, contemporary look, while the illumination adds a dynamic quality.
A key innovation is the integration of color-changing LED lights within the glass brick bar and column cladding. These LEDs allow the bar to adapt its appearance to different sporting events, shifting from Collingwood's black and white to Australia's green and gold for cricket matches, ensuring the bar remains engaging for all fans.
Tablefive also developed movable glass brick tables, designed to seat eight people and equipped with casters for easy reconfiguration. This flexibility allows the bar to accommodate various group sizes and maintain an adaptable layout.
To perfect the lighting effects, a prototype section was created, allowing the design team to test and refine the illumination. The result is a bar that meets practical needs while providing a visually stunning and immersive experience for patrons.
Design Challenge
The primary challenge in designing the Ponsford Atrium Bar was transforming an atrium—a transient space with no existing infrastructure—into a fully functional and inviting bar. This ambitious undertaking required installing new waste, water, and power points to support the 13-metre long bar, ensuring it was fully operational and capable of handling the demands of a busy venue. To create a sense of place in the expansive triple-height space, which included existing escalators, the design team evolved and reclad the glass balustrade with reclaimed bricks and mesh framing. This not only added a cohesive and industrial aesthetic but also provided a visual barrier that enhanced the intimacy of the bar area without obstructing the openness of the atrium.
A significant design element was the utilisation of the large angled column that extends through the void of the space. This column was creatively used to position illuminated signage, becoming a focal point that guided patrons' attention and contributed to the bar's unique identity. Additionally, the integration of indirect lighting, including halo illumination, low watt ceiling lights, and pendant lights, was essential in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. These lighting choices, combined with the industrial finishes, transformed the atrium into a space reminiscent of Melbourne's vibrant CBD nightlife, offering a sense of intimacy and sophistication that patrons can enjoy before, during, and after sporting events.
Sustainability
Sustainability was a cornerstone of the Ponsford Atrium Bar project, guiding many of the design and material choices to ensure an eco-friendly and responsible transformation. A significant effort was made to retain and repurpose existing elements, starting with the glass balustrade frame. This frame was reclad with reclaimed bricks and ingeniously repurposed to serve as the atrium's leaner, reducing waste and giving new life to existing materials.
In addition to this, the selection of materials was driven by sustainability considerations. Bolon flooring was chosen for its impressive environmental credentials; it is composed of BIO-sourced PVC, recycled PVC, and recycled chalk. This innovative flooring material is made up of 68% waste material and has a 0% climate impact per square meter, making it an excellent choice for reducing the bar's overall carbon footprint. By incorporating these sustainable elements, the design not only minimised environmental impact but also demonstrated a commitment to responsible building practices. This approach ensured that the Ponsford Atrium Bar not only provided a stylish and functional space for patrons but also contributed positively to broader environmental goals.
Interior Design - Hospitality - On the Go
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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