Four

Top dog

BY Four, June 11, 2011

Bronze mosaic tiles, oversized ornate picture frames, hand carved Italian-made limestone baths, water features and ottomans are a few of the features to be found at exclusive boutique hotel and spa, Paw Paws.

Paw Paws Urban Retreat is nestled in Waterloo, Sydney. A former rag-trade warehouse has been transformed into 2,000m2 of extravagant glamour. Designed over three floors, Paw Paws offers boarding facilities for 180 dogs in ten different themed rooms (the cubby rooms are custom-designed with beds and luxury covers), daycare facilities, exercise and training area, spa, three grooming salons, boutique shop, holistic treatment room, two outdoor play areas and rooftop ‘skypark’ with paddling pool.

This decadent space surely answers the open brief Giant Design received from its client: ‘to create something gorgeous and unexpected’. The project was completed in one and a half years with a total budget of AUD3.4m; the design firm being responsible of all architectural, interior and graphic components.

Paw Paws is full of surprises, with ten rooms themed to have fun in: the Library resembles a gentlemen’s club, the Log Room features a full-size fallen tree, Pussy Parlour is decorated with chandeliers and a dance pole. The dog references are graphic without being overpowering, with a clever use of prints and vinyl applications to creates texture and movement meanwhile allowing the spaces to be filled with light.

While stylistic choices instilled the project its heart and soul, practical considerations, as well as the comfort and safety of the dogs, were driving the design concept. Ed Kenny, Creative Director at Giant explains: ‘The most challenging aspect of the job was the dogs’ cubby rooms. Given there are five different sizes, working from single level to three storeys high, they had to be able to able to sustain heavy wear and tear, not look like a cage and be able to be themed to fit each room. Each cubby is made from heavy duty laminate with front double doors, one of perforated powder-coated steel to allow maximum airflow and one in glass to give maximum views in and out for when the dogs are confined, which is only at night. The dog cubbies divide the space only up to 2600 high, with it open above to allow for airflow and light throughout. All rooms have their own oil burners to keep the air smell-free’.

Customers are always encouraged to tour the building. And, in case the separation anxiety kicks in, owners can log into doggie-cams to check how much fun their beloved pets are having.

—
For more information, visit pawpaws.com.au
All images courtesy of Giant Design

Tags Architecture, Design, Grooming, Hotel, Interiors, Spa