The opportunity to refurbish Astra Lodge at Falls Creek has come about nearly 30 years after the original construction. Having worked as design and project architect on the 60 bed hotel/ lodge with Hayball Architects (HLS at the time) in the late 1980’s, Grant Amon of Grant Amon Architects was given the brief to completely renovate and extend the lodge.
As well as complete internal renovations, the project brief also covered external re cladding of the existing roof and walls along with new windows and glazed doors to balconies. The opportunity also arose to extend the lodge at the rear of the site, enabling the construction of a new dedicated guest Entry to a well-appointed Ski Room, six new Studio guest rooms new lift and services providing better access throughout the building.
The overall project has been an amazing opportunity for GAA to revisit, compliment and even complete the original design. The distinctive raking and curved main roof was extended to cover the new addition which features a new ‘rounded end’ clad in stone, copper and metal panelling. In essence, GAA feels this final addition actually completes the overall form and shape of Astra, with its ‘ship liner and snow sled’ overtones. As well as expressing references to classic alpine architecture, Astra has now benefitted from its re cladding with durable and lasting quality materials: extension of the beautiful base stone work, the developing patina of copper, and the neutral tones of grey ribbed metal cladding and the contemporary interpretation of the classic European balcony balustrades in ochre coloured metal panels.
The first stage, completed in 2015 involved an internal upgrade of the Bar, Lounge, Dining and Kitchen area as well as the lower level Pool, Spa and Sauna area.
Collaborating with lighting, leather, furniture and other craft / artists, the project aimed to collectively enliven and enrich the particular mountain atmosphere of the Victorian Alps in the refit.
The second Stage (2016) involved upgrading all of the existing external cladding, new doors and windows and complete refurbishment of the Guest rooms. In addition, a new Day Spa facility a quiet guest Library / Lounge and children’s Games / TV room have been provided. To the lower level, linking up with the new ski room are specialist ski boot fitting services and a wine cellar.
The final stage of works (2017) now completes the project, with new guest, ski and drying rooms linking up all levels with the lift. The alpine theme of bespoke materials and fittings has been continued throughout the building to provide a complete experience internally and externally, marking it Falls Creek’s premier lodge.
Astra represents a truly contemporary enhancement of the original 1980’s design that aims to rejuvenate the entire lodge to current and future quality expectations. By engaging the original architect, complimented by the clients and local builder’s vast alpine knowledge and experience, a new Astra ‘star’ is born.
ONE-OF-A-KIND DESIGN SETS STANDARDS AT THE NEW ASTRA LODGE
Falls Creek Victoria finally welcomes a ski lodge worthy of its pristine alpine surrounds. Astra Lodge has set new standards in the Australian ski industry with the family-owned hotel recently winning the title of Australia’s Best Boutique Ski Lodge 2016 at the World Ski Awards in Kitzbühel, Austria and now nominated for the award again. The newly renovated ski-in ski-out lodge seduces guests with exceptional features including panoramic mountain views, heated magnesium mineral pool and fine dining restaurant.
Rosy Seaton, who co-owns the lodge with her husband, Seumas, grew-up locally. Rosy has placed focus on Astra Lodge achieving world-class service while remaining family friendly with a charming intimacy that puts the hotel in a league of its own.
After purchasing the property in 2014, Rosy engaged Grant Amon Architect who was the original design and project architect working for HLS Architects at the time for the lodge some 30 years ago. Boasting interiors that feature local design, the materials are robust and natural. Grant Amon has achieved a stylish European alpine look that is modern yet comfortable. Mr Amon has said “Astra represents a truly contemporary enhancement of the original 1980’s design that aims to rejuvenate the entire lodge to current and future quality expectations.”
An ambitious extension to the south-east end of the building allowed for larger apartment-style suites and a new entry with improved ski-in, ski-out ingress and disabled amenities. In the existing building, smaller hotel-style rooms have been completely upgraded and balconies have been added to the deluxe and studio front-facing rooms.
As well as internal renovations, the project brief for Grant Amon also covered external cladding of the existing roof and walls along with new windows and glazed doors to balconies. The opportunity also arose to extend the lodge at the rear of the site, enabling the construction of a new dedicated guest entry, new lift and unique state-of-the-art ski & boot drying room. Within the new addition, six new large guest rooms with generous bathrooms and balconies, have been added to complete the refurbishment.
The bespoke foyer chandelier made of tiny vegetable steamers sparkles to announce the arrival into the main space of the venue featuring a new oak floor, rough sawn cedar clad walls and ceiling, with vintage star shaped wall-lights playing on the word ‘Astra’. The materials chosen by Sally Mills Design reflect the snow and ice in the silver of the stainless steel and graduate, in fairisle jumper fashion, to the cosy and earthy warmth of the copper.
Head to the lodge’s bar which features traditional shiplap timber cladding, honed brown granite bar top and a red glowing backlit display. The stone fireplace in the distance flickers, drawing patrons into the leather lounges and swivel chairs to enjoy a warming beverage and to look up and take in the backlit timber veneer mountain-scape mural bulkhead over the bar servery. The bespoke snowflake wall light fittings and custom made deer horn coat hooks further compliment the alpine theme along with ski-shaped granite topped buffet unit and a leather stitched cowhide columns.
Eleisha Nylund, the leather crafter from Brisbane who worked on the cowhide column project for Astra says her practice is driven by a passion for traditional craftsmanship, contemporary design and a relationship between person and object. The Brindle cowhides were chosen for the visual warmth created by their brown patterning, and the hair-on-hides component is used to engage the visitors and encourage touch. Traditional Scandinavian winter fashion is referenced with the lacing of the hides.
The designer furniture within the hotel was hand-sourced by Rosy on her travels to Europe. The alpine theme of bespoke materials and fittings has been continued throughout the building to provide a complete experience internally and externally, marking it Falls Creek’s premier lodge.
Downstairs, the pool area has kept its original local stone feature wall and cedar lining. Fresh mosaic-tiled columns pick up colours from the water, while clever lights rooted between flagstones highlight the texture of the rock face and illuminates the rafters also adding drama to the atmosphere of this grotto-like space.
Moving to the snow covered exterior of Astra, the distinguishing curved main roof was extended to cover the new addition which features a new ‘rounded end’ clad in stone, copper and metal panelling. In essence, Grant Amon Architects felt this final addition completed the overall form and shape of Astra, with its ‘ship liner and snow sled’ overtones.
This deluxe high-altitude hotel matches nothing else on offer in the Australian snowfields and is sure to keep guests from travelling overseas to find their perfect winter ski escape!
