Thanks to recent changes to Perth's  liquor licensing laws, Sentinel Bar & Grill has joined a handful of new bars in Perth CBD in enhancing the urban fabric of the city for workers, visitors and the increasing number of inner city residents.
The brief called for the design of a high-end venue that would provide a unique experience for Perth diners, drawing reference from both New York grills and classic French bistros.
The compact floor plate demanded careful planning and detailing to maximize capacity. Joinery elements are multi-functional, booth seating components have integrated storage, allowing for wine display as well as defining the dining zone from circulation spaces. The bar is a device used to divide the venue into various zones. Amenities and back of house to the rear of the pavilion.
The design showcases the bar as a means of separating the formal and more casual dining spaces, whilst creating a dramatic centrepiece. A full height wine display/storage rack disappears into the ceiling void, providing a striking backdrop to the bar on one side, whilst an integrated timber ladder on the other creates a sense of theatre for onlooking diners. The drama extends to the alfresco zone with a viewing window through to the kitchen.
The design process differed from traditional interior fitouts in that the practice had initially been engaged to design the base building for a separate client, and then awarded the fitout design by the tenant. This enabled a consistency in design and detailing, as well as an integrated and more controlled construction process.