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level 1 art gallery
level 2 jazz bar
level 2 jazz bar
level 3 bar and void
level 3 bar and void
level 4 rooftop bar a
and seating with vip tower booking space
Dorothy Pham is a Sydney-based designer who strives to blur the lines between art and interior design. Art is so ambiguously interpreted, and the notion ‘What is Art?’ is so often questioned; so, why can’t art and interiors be the same and interchangeable? Dorothy’s design practice also incorporates elements of her Vietnamese culture, as she aims to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also create a foundation for fostering fulfilling experiences and cherished memories.
dorothy.pham@student.whitehouse.edu.au https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorothy-pham-3731a5294/
@thy_studio_
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CLIENT judith neilson
Rabbit’s Refuge is a multi-functional warren-of-an-art-space that inspires and celebrates art through its interior design. Set in the iconic former Kings Hotel on Pitt Street Mall, this space will evoke reaction from its street-side installation spaces, inspiring gallery, captivating performance space and roof-top bar. The client, Judith Neilson, is the owner of Sydney’s White Rabbit Gallery, a devoted humanitarian and patron of the arts and architecture. Therefore, Rabbit’s Refuge will showcase Southeast Asian artists, with profits going towards the International Rescue Committee. The site’s original retail windows have been re-purposed to art installation spaces where passers-by can see the unique displays, whether their visit be intentional or otherwise. The gallery on the first floor aims to create a space of contemplation and reflection for the changing exhibitions hosted there, flooded with natural light from the heritage windows. As the customer continues down this rabbit hole and ascends to the second and third floors, they are met with an art-deco-inspired jazz bar, offering a 1920s speak-easy atmosphere with Southeast Asian influences. Finally, the customer emerges to the art-filled, roof-top space, where the eye-catching wall murals and luxe materiality backdrop their view of the city.
DESIGN STATEMENT
Rabbit’s Refuge is a multi-functional arts space which celebrates creative and performing arts in all areas, from the site being a heritage Victorian-style building to the displaying and performing arts being offered. Judith Neilson is a devoted patron of the arts and architecture as well as is a humanitarian, therefore all profits made will be donated to International Rescue Committee. The art gallery is a public art gallery which is only open during the day, but on display constantly, what this indicates is that the ground floor is not open for public access but open on display, street passers are able to indulge in some art, whether the visit is intentional or unintentional. The first floor also offers art however is only open during the day, by night this level is locked. (ground floor: 117 sqm + first floor: 117 sqm). The Jazz Bar is open every night, offering a 1920’s Art Deco speak-easy atmosphere with South-East Asian influences, reflecting the art practice of the chosen artists. The Jazz performed here would not be restricted to just English songs but explores different languages and how Jazz was interpreted in their respective tongues. (second floor:117 +third floor (void):74 sqm + rooftop 124 sqm)
concept
As stated by Oscar Wilde, “We spend our days... looking for the secret of life. Well, the secret of life is in art”. Rabbit’s Refuge is the space which aims to allow its indulgers to fully immerse themselves in the world of art and by doing so, finding a sense of fulfillment. An era which parallels this notion of yearning a sense of fulfillment is the Roaring 20s (1920’s). Furthermore, the art movement which became prevalent during this time was Surrealism; The Tate Museum reveals that “Surrealism aims to revolutionise human experience” drawing inspiration from this, Rabbit’s Refuge aims to emulate the movement’s evocative nature and transport patrons to a divergent experience.
site 138-140 PITT ST, SYDNEY, NSW, 2000
Judith Neilson values art and architecture, therefore landing on a site which has substance further adds to the depth to the usage of the concept as a whole. The site of 138-140 Pitt St Sydney is not only on the corner of Sydney’s oldest streets ; King and Pitt Street but in a 1879 Victorian-style building. Stretching out four floors and a private rooftop (five floors total), it provides 180 degree views making the most of it’s corner location. It’s main distinction is the Italianate style Victorian building features, tower and cupola which is in stark contrast architecturally to the neighboring buildings. Previously, it was a sugar exchange house, different types of hotels, banks, and several retail shops. The approach I took when designing this space and conserving heritage was to make it a complete stark contrast to the exterior, this way all of the different styles can be easily identifiable and celebrated in their own way. By contrasting the existing heritage features with the contemporary -mixed-Art Deco features it allows both design styles to be further appreciated, instead of compared and completing against each other. Heritage Item ID: 5045576 Block Size: 138 sqm
DAN LAM
about the artist
Portrait of Dam Lam, courtesy of Benjanmin Youd
Vietnamese, Taxas-based artist Dan Lam explores “sensational dichotomies , such as beauty vs. repulsion, and chance vs control, by combining unconventional materials, organic forms and bright colours”. Abstract ideas crate the foundation for her conceptual practice and many decisions are make within the process, after studying traditional mediums and gaining a Bachelors and Masters of Fine Arts, she found unconventional mediums such as resin, foams and polyurethanes to create unique sculptures and define her artistic voice. Lam’s artworks provokes her audience to “ponder meaning and existence while inspiring feelings of familiarity and wonder.” Having that Lam’s exhibition space is location on the ground floor with the exposure of the large storefront windows allows fer audiences to immerse in a dose of art, rather it be intentional or not. The Artworks on display will be from A collaboration between Dan Lam and Jaz Harold’s collection, “Soft Touch”, as we;; as some of her other works. Press package courtesy of Dan Lam’s Pr
about the artist Korean, Bondi-based artist and former lawyer Vicki Lee is known for her exploration use of mixed media. She describes (in an interview with the beauty chef) her art to be “...fluid. Not just in a literal sense - there’s a velocity and direction to my creative flow but it’s in constant motion”. She often collaborates with her husband, Ted O’Donnell, who is a photographer. Flowers are often a motif within her works with it’s evocative metaphoric definition; flowers often parallel life in it self; “Life force. The upward motion. The energy. The Love”. Lee’s practice often invites her audience to immerse in an experience rather than just gazing upon art, she stimulates different senses, such as smell, sound or adds dynamic elements such as moving images or videos. Even her still paintings seem to have an air of chaos and movement. The bold application of paints, within her practice is created from a feeling and that is portrayed onto the canvas. These emotions are often evoked from listening to music (sometimes live orchestral instruments). Lee describe painting to be an expression of cathartic freedom, an escape. The artworks on display within The Burrow, Rabbit’s Refuge are from several collections; Sillage, Asphyxiate, Night Rain and Rose Rasasvada.
VICKI LEE Portrait of Vicki Lee, courtesy of Bridgette Clark
inspiration
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White Rabbit Gallery
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SITE ANALYSIS 1:200
Client
DOROTHY PHAM dorothy.pham@student.whitehouse.edu.au
A 02/10/15 Development Application DP RS H&N Deco Metal - RiPple Board Issue Description Date Drawn Approved Ceiling
JUDITH N FOUNDA C COPYRIGHT
These drawings, plans therein are the property used, reproduced or co written permission of Do
White Rabbit
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SUN PATH WINTER 21 DECEMBER
KING ST
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and specifications and the copyright y of Thy Studio and must not be opied wholly or on part without orothy Pham or Thy Studio
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EX.FEATURES
SHADOWS - 21 JULY 9AM
DP901185 SHADOWS - 21 JULY 12PM SHADOWS - 21 JULY 3PM
ACCESS TO SITE
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RABBIT'S REFUGE 138-140 PITT ST SYDNEY, NSW, 2000
ACCESS TO NOISE
North
SITE ANALYSIS N
A3 Scale The Flower Clouds I Zhengzhou 1:200 Metro Line-7 Stations Job No. Drawn Issue Checked Drawing No. Maskarchitect A102 0000 DP RS Plot Date: 3/11/2023 0
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jazz bar space
Rêver (China) - Wuji Studio
Kym’s (London) - Michaelis Boyd
Fiery - Ice Bar (China) - NNS
Hotel Cataclysmic - Rizis Achitectural
materiality
ground floor
first floor
second floor
third floor
fourth floor