Oakwood, Southbank in Melbourne is a 40 story luxe hotel comprising a 6 storey podium that including retail, communal and public spaces, back-of–house hotel operational facilities and car parking. The level 6 podium and terrace includes a gym, co-working and recreational spaces, a boardroom and outdoor terraces.

Iconic Melbourne landmarks heavily influenced the vision for the interior architecture and design and complemented the building architecture. The client brief allowed for unrestricted creativity, which resulted in commissioning artist, Mika Utzon Popov, to create a tactile 3D vertical lobby entrance wall installation. Popov’s work was inspired by Melbourne’s Yarra River and provides an awe-inspiring entrance. The installation ties to the driveway waterfall wall that incorporates a pattern of the Yarra River from a bird's-eye view, captivating visitors as they enter and setting a scene for the Oakwood experience.

This incredible arrival experience continues to the luxe porte cochere leading to the grand lobby and wine bar. Above, there’s a state-of-the-art conference centre, gym, dining rooms and Grand Hall. Sitting atop the 392 suites is the jewel in the crown; a 360 degree Skybar offering unparalleled views of the city skyline and Port Phillip Bay. Oakwood has a contemporary and modern aesthetic, combining a sense of grandeur with a design approach that is inherently suited to the culture of Melbourne.

Photography by Oliver Lagasca, Rhiannon Taylor, Hannah Caldwell