Lalla Rookh Bar and Eating House is a CBD venue that offers respite for the residents and workers of inner city Perth. Tucked away and hidden down a basement of commercial office tower Allendale Square, the space has been stripped back to the core to create a variety of spaces based around the intimate cave like setting.

The design philosophy was to create a space which offers pure escapism from busy city life. The venue boasts a variety of spaces and settings that each feel different from the other but at the same time work in unison. Depending on your mood there is a public bar, dining bar with a large booth seating, lounge area and a private wine store with its own off-street entrance. The venue is predominantly underground so therefore the interiors were designed to create an intimate ambience maximizing as much natural daylight where possible.

As an existing basement space, there were many challenges with the building which had to be overcome. The lack of natural light and airflow was a significant challenge to create an atmosphere which the client desired. The existing base building required a lot of stripping back and restoring to create the end vision, including a rethink to the floor finish which was originally to be majority concrete screed, but due to existing conditions had to be revised.

The venue previously functioned as a bar and where possible existing services were to be utilized. With the zoning of areas it was intended to create individual humble environments and make a large venue feel the sense of intimacy.

The interior spaces are characterized by a high standard of detailing with rich and textural finishes, accented with touches of greenery. The materials sourced resonated the ambience of each zone whilst still being functional to their purpose.

Each space is characterized with its own mood and identity, without feeling too disconnected. The outdoor summer/winter garden and adjacent bar lounge area were purposely a lighter finishes palette due to more exposure to natural light. The bar lounge emulates a relaxed Hamptons vibe through a luxurious herringbone timber floor and upholstered booth seating. The wine store is a private and intimate space which creates a ‘classic’ bar cellar feel through the mosaic tiled floor, dark walls, and use of timber shelving to display various wines. The introduction of a private wine store is very unique not only to this venue but the CBD alone, and is a wine lovers haven. It’s a calm and comfortable environment perfect to sample the fine wines on offer. The public bar is a space for a casual drink, whereas the restaurant gives opportunity to sit down for a proper meal in a relaxed bistro setting.

Upon entering the space you are graced with the sense of adventure, warmth and intimacy. With the introduction of permeable screening elements your mind is forced to want to explore beyond further, investigating all the different spaces this venue offers which was the intended design philosophy for this project.

Bradley Cole, a lighting designer, was engaged by the client to create the desired ambience for each of the spaces, selecting and or designing individual pieces that complemented the interior design concept.

Alongside the custom made lighting, there was also screening elements incorporated into the design, including a commissioned Macrame screen by artist Sarah Parkes and custom perforated metal screens by Q-design. Within the public bar and restaurant hand made tiles imported from Morocco by Popham Designs were installed.

The project was highly collaborative with the client steering committee throughout the design process and the venue needed to operate practically, while achieving the design aesthetic it so required. By listening, investigating and understanding the clients requirements, Mono were able to successfully deliver to their expectations and maintain the initial vision and design philosophy.

Venue Technical Services took care of the audio system which utilises a wide range of loudspeakers and electronics from Apart Audio.

The Public Bar features wall mounted speakers capable of high level music if required with the addition of two compact subwoofers located in the seating unit. Dining 1 has ceiling speakers recessed into the ply acoustic panels and plasterboard ceiling. This area also has a remote Volume/Source plate in a location TBA. A single subwoofer is included, again in the seating unit. Dining 2 again has recessed ceiling speakers and remote plate.

The Wine Room has small, indiscrete wall mounted cube speakers with two small subwoofers below the stairs to create a warm quality sound. A remote plate in this zone as well. The Lounge utilises recessed ceiling speakers with ceiling subwoofers.

The Alfresco Courtyard has a combination of ceiling speakers in the existing bulkhead, with wall mounted speakers on the opposite side whilst the toilets are all ceiling speakers.

With control and amplification, the equipment rack is located in the office with remote controls to the dining rooms and the wine bar.

There is one large screen Samsung TV in the public bar with outlets for additional units brought in for special functions with TV outlets to the public bar, lounge, dining rooms.

Lalla Rookh GM Patrick commented; “The Apart system has been a breeze to use from the beginning. Being able to control each zone from the remote control wall plates in each zone makes operation easier. The sound has also been amazing with the warmth and intelligibility provided by the Apart speakers. We have even had comments from our guests which is a surprise.”