The winners of the 2020 Eat Drink Design Awards have been revealed, highlighting Australia's most exceptionally designed hospitality venues - and Armidale's Tattersalls Hotel has taken out the best hotel design award.
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This year, nine of the country's best venues were selected across eight categories (with one joint winner) for their outstanding achievement in Australian hospitality venue design.
The Best Hotel Design award was presented to Luchetti Krelle - the Sydney based, architecture and interior design firm established by Stuart Krelle and Rachel Luchetti that was responsible for the transformation of the 150 year old Tattersalls Hotel building.
The judging panel said Tattersalls brings big-city style to country Armidale, revealing a heritage gem in a surprising location.
"Built during the 1850s gold rush, the grand dame was transformed in the Art Deco style in the 1930s," said judging panel chair Cassie Hansen.
"Now, almost a century later, the building has been exuberantly restored as a 25-room hotel with a public bar and opulent dining room centred around a wood-fired Josper oven."
Ms Hansen said the design by Luchetti Krelle was responsive to the original building but had fun celebrating the classic details of the period with brass embellishments, a sweeping walnut staircase, custom joinery and geometric carpet.
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"The unique and memorable offering deftly juggles feelings of spaciousness and intimacy over several defined zones, which are ripe to explore," she said.
"The essence of the era has been faithfully captured without being a mere reproduction."
The awards have come during an immensely challenging time for the industry.
"In the midst of lockdown and economic downturn, now more than ever, it is imperative that we recognise the spaces that bring us comfort, delight, a sense of place, community and communion," Ms Hansen said.
"This year's winners evoked a sense of architectural nostalgia and a healthy sentimentality for the past.
"Pining for the days when we could visit our favourite restaurants, cafes, and bars, the jury was drawn to venues with sentimentality and tradition at their core, but executed in a contemporary way.
"This year's exemplary field of winners successfully remember and celebrate the times of the past, but forge a new future; one we can't wait to explore."
The award for best restaurant design was presented to both Cox Architecture's Osteria Tedesca, in the Mornington Peninsula, and Anthony Gill Architects' Poly in Surry Hills.
Best cafe design went to There Cafe in Melbourne designed by Ewert Leaf.
Best bar design winner went to Studio Gram for the Leigh Street Wine Room in Adelaide.
Best installation design went to Orana in Residence designed by SJB with Orana, Promena Projects and Tracey Deep.
The winner for best retail design was presented to Darling Exchange Market Hall in Sydney designed by Anthony Gill Architects & Lendlease Design.
Best identity design was awarded to Dopa, a donburi cafe and milk bar located in Sydney's Darling Square precinct designed by The Colour Club.
In recognition of its longevity and cultural significance, Vernon Chalker's Gin Palace in Melbourne was inducted into the 2020 Eat Drink Design Awards Hall of Fame.