The heritage buildings that form the nucleus of the hotel were part of the Lion Brewing company complex and tunnels beneath the buildings are an important contributor to the significance of the site.

The project is an addition to The Lion Hotel, a State listed Heritage Place located on the busy commercial corner of Melbourne and Jerningham Streets in “lower” North Adelaide, accessing the immediate, predominantly residential locality.

The courtyard expansion responded to demand for additional external space for patrons to replace the under-utilized beer garden.

Primary considerations included enhanced exposure to/from Melbourne Street and improved visual /physical connection to internal bar spaces. The development incorporated upgrades of the gaming room, and enhancement of existing toilet facilities. Project staging allowed continuous operation while construction was completed.

The built form was conceived as a single volume with separate zones, each with different character and degrees of enclosure. The main volume takes the form of over-arching portal frames which have large, closely spaced members.

The main volume is formed by closely spaced portal frames that, although “open”, has sufficient solidity to be conceived as an enclosed rectilinear space with a “facade” that complements the planar nature of the original heritage street alignment.

The curved edges and raking beams soften the profile and are reminiscent of the detailed cornice on the heritage building.

The “spaces within the space” offer varied experiences of size, openness and identity and curvaceous organic forms are utilized as counterpoint to the rectilinear plan form of the original heritage spaces.

The internal layout is formulated based on a psychology that patrons can complete a “circuit” and view all parts without reaching a dead end.

An operable roof provides protection when required and the effect of thermal extremes is minimized by the provision of low energy gas heating, sweep fans, and evaporative cooling.

The bold colours and sculptural forms visible to Melbourne Street have the strong presence of street art and enliven the public domain.

The non-standard forms of various components within the courtyard were conceptualized “in-house” but successful realization relied on the skills and workmanship of the tradesmen. The knowledge of the steel fabricator and metalworker were essential in developing the details of the curved forms.

Generally the lighting incorporates indirect low energy sources with a predominance of LED fittings.