Matisse Beach Club by Oldfield Knott Architects

This spectacular new venue captures the essence of poolside glamour through intelligent design and eye-popping colour.

The top priority in the design brief issued to Oldfield Knott Architects (OKA) by the owner of Matisse Beach Club was to evoke a feeling of a Las Vegas/Miami resort-style beach club or poolside bar. And that's exactly what it does.

Focusing on a sparkling central pool, the exterior of this venue is alluring, with colourful, angular cabanas, casual ottomans, sun lounges and daybeds all setting the scene for a pool party.

Aside from this aquatic hero, OKA was distinct in the design and selection of materials to ensure guests were surrounded by an experience, rather than just decor.

Light and colour work together harmoniously, with the white Barisol stretch ceilings in the lounge areas, blue glass separating the indoor and outdoor zones, and bold, bright colours almost everywhere else. Most striking are the individually coloured outdoor cabanas that recall the old beachfront bathing boxes in Brighton.

Continuing the beach theme, wave forms repeat inside and out, with palm trees naturally balancing the synthetic external finishings.

Illumination plays a huge role at Matisse, with extensive use of colour-changing LED lighting in the facade, and throughout the cabanas, coffered ceilings and other areas.

Careful consideration had to be applied when selecting the materials for this venue, due to its coastal location. The sea breeze is 'controlled' with remote-operated Aneeta screens and tinted tilt-up glazed walls. The non-slip ceramic tiles and compressed fibre cement weatherboarding were chosen for their durability without compromising style.

Despite the tight timeframe allotted for the completion of this project, each stage came together without a hitch to result in one of Perth's most dynamic watering holes.

PROJECT PROFILE

MATISSE BEACH CLUB
ARCHITECT & INTERIOR DESIGNER | Oldfield Knott Architects Pty Ltd
BUILDER | Buckingham Redevelopment Co.
BRIEF | Create a venue that evokes a feeling of Las Vegas/Miami resort-style beach club or poolside bar.
BUILD TIME | 20 weeks
FEATURES | Centrepiece pool, colourful cabanas, lounge and dining areas, Aneeta windows, LED lighting.
LOCATION | The Esplanade, Scarborough