Spotlight: Rundle Bar, 2021 GRAY Awards Finalist

A closer look at Rundle Bar, one of five finalists in the 2021 GRAY Awards Commercial Interior Design category.

Rundle Bar

Located within the iconic Banff Springs Hotel, the Rundle Bar is a landmark destination that attracts visitors from all over the world.

Tasked with designing a space that would match the elevated status and classic history of the hotel, Frank Architecture & Interiors transformed Rundle Bar into a space that is entrancing, rich, and luxurious, while also being an approachable and comfortable environment where guests can relax and socialize amidst the breathtaking mountain backdrop.

Drawing inspiration from the notion of a living room with bespoke furniture groupings and intimate lighting pockets, the design team made the central bar a show-stopping focus.

The engraved ‘thistle’ is a common narrative seen in linenfold, plaster and stained glasswork throughout the historical hotel. One of the original arches located adjacent to the grand bar was converted into a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf with a secret door leading guests to an intimate dining area. The once-underutilized mezzanine has been reinvented as an opulent space with a dedicated cocktail bar and plush lounge seating. Guests seated in the mezzanine not only get to enjoy sweeping views of Rundle and Cascade mountains but can also take in all the action overlooking the lively bar below.

Rundle Bar historic interior design with oversized chandeliers

From the onset of the project, the team sought to create a contemporary space that honored the hotel’s nostalgic old-world charm. Each element of the design is considered, deliberate and thoughtfully selected. The result is a transformative space that is honest and true to the design narrative, where guests are immersed in a richly layered environment that merges the past with the present. Careful consideration was given to respect and preserve many of the existing architectural elements within the space to honor the hotel’s rich past, including maintaining the historic Rundle stone which was quarried from the base of Mount Rundle.

PROJECT DETAILS

Design Team:

Principal, FRANK Architecture & Interiors: Kelly Morrison

Director of Design, FRANK Architecture & Interiors: Sarah Long

Architectural Technologist, Frank Architecture & Interiors: Michelle Lem

Collaborators:

ACCOR Design & Technical Services

Photography: Chris Amat

Date of Completion: July 2020