Balancing contemporary sophistication with a sense of calmness and warmth, the Pullman Penrith is a new destination with a strong connection to its unique Sydney location.
Paris or Sydney? The 5-star Pullman Penrith has brought a luxury hotel experience to Western Sydney for the first time. With its 153 rooms, modern European restaurant and stylish lobby bar, the Pullman Penrith has quickly established itself as a go-to destination for locals and visitors alike.
The architecture and interiors were designed from the ground up by Sydney-based practice TURNER and curated by operator Accor, making an impressive addition to Accor’s premium Pullman portfolio. Three design strategies underpinned the project’s success and streamlined its delivery.
Make operator overlay easy
Unusually, the hotel was designed and documented by TURNER before operator Accor was appointed. Despite the lack of an operator brief, the TURNER interiors team created the perfect canvas for Accor to overlay its cosmopolitan Pullman brand.
Combining good planning with elements of surprise, the design used a classic palette of timber and sandstone to create a neutral background. The Tori lobby bar and mezzanine level Marcel Bistro aligned perfectly with Pullman’s aspiration for the hospitality experience and lobby activation.
Immersion sessions with Accor fine-tuned the hotel’s personality, with elements such as the reflective ceiling panels and sweeping staircase establishing a unique identity. Contrasting form, geometry and materiality unite in contemporary interiors that are refined yet welcoming.
The General Manager of the hotel, Glen Erikson, said, “The design of Pullman Penrith has created the ideal balance between feelings of contemporary sophistication and indulgence with a sense of calmness and warmth that align perfectly with our brand.”
Make the guest journey memorable
The design intent was to create a guest journey of unique and memorable moments. Transitional spaces and elevated food and beverage combine with curated art to invite curiosity, discovery and surprise.
Close collaboration between the architecture and interior design teams created spaces that encourage guests to pause and linger, whether to appreciate the outlook or artwork, or meet a friend. Sightlines were opened to the external landscaping and the Blue Mountains beyond, and the design teams injected moments of drama, such as the journey up the staircase to the Marcel Bistro.
The Marcel Bistro and the Tori lobby bar pay homage to iconic modernist architect Marcel Breuer. Breuer’s only Australian building is the Torin factory in Penrith, and this connection adds an unexpected layer of local design history and pedigree – Penrith meets the Bauhaus.
A highly curated artwork collection brings the Pullman signature to life. The arrival zone features a sculptural installation symbolic of the nearby Nepean River, making a strong first impression alongside colourful artwork behind the monolithic reception desk.
Integrate wellness
With the growth of wellness as a design trend, the TURNER team paid close attention to an integrated wellness experience at Pullman Penrith.
Architecture and interiors are nature-inspired to create a sense of balance and calm. The curved, organic form of the buildings takes cues from the nearby Nepean River. This theme is translated seamlessly into the interiors, using materials, colours and shapes influenced by the layered rock and plants of the Blue Mountains on the hotel’s doorstep.
A sleep therapy menu is designed to help guests achieve an optimal night’s rest. Digital tablets in each room allow room lighting, colour and sounds to be customised. An extensive pillow menu is offered alongside face and eye masks, aromatherapy pillow sprays and sleep-enhancing teas.
The TURNER team predicts the focus on personalised wellness will evolve at pace as medical technology becomes better at analysing individual needs, with wellness and hospitality merging to create a new form of design.
Project: The Pullman Penrith
Location: Penrith, Sydney, Australia
Design Studio: TURNER
Photo Credits: Tom Ferguson
Website: turnerstudio.com.au
