A jungle in the concrete

A landscaped oasis for work, rest and play in the heart of Sydney The philosophy of Ivy was to create one of the most vibrant and youthful meeting places in the world. A world within a world, it is a 'house' in the big city where everyone is welcome and guests' needs are anticipated. With an intimacy typically encapsulated by a private residence, Ivy is a place for reprieve from the demanding city tempo, as well as a vibrant and stimulating work or meeting venue: a celebration of life. "I think the Ivy is a reflection of my attitude towards life. We go to work and we sleep, and the rest of the time it's about us, about the individual and having a good time" says Justin Hemmes. "I wanted it to be my ideal house, in the heart of the city, with lots of outdoor spaces... [somewhere that is] comfortable and feels like you're at home". A landscaped oasis containing over 20,000 sq m of hotel and hospitality venues, Ivy is a seamless ensemble of 18 bars, nine restaurants, one of Sydney's largest ballrooms, a sunken garden atrium, two penthouse suites and a rooftop pool - designed across two adjoining sites in mid-town Sydney. The interior design principles stem from a careful understanding of the interrelationship between architecture, landscape and interiors. Despite residing within a commercial domain, the encapsulation of the client's love for 1950s modernist residencies is retained throughout the Ivy through its qualities of conventional domesticity and the reinterpretation of this style into a harmonious sequence of indoor/outdoor rooms. This holistic approach to design (to bring the outdoors in and the indoors out), has produced a hospitality offering layered with rich, unexpected touches.