LG Electronics fits out historic Brisbane site

LG Electronics Australia Business Solutions, in conjunction with Integrate Group, recently provided a customised HVAC solution to a historic building, home of new Brisbane restaurant Stratton Bar and Kitchen.  

Founded by Mrs Brown’s Bar and Kitchen owners Ben and Tarryn Brown, the unusual venue is situated inside two refurbished WWII-era aeroplane hangars in Newstead, Brisbane.

Due to the unique structure of the restaurant, the owners required an air solution that performed efficiently with the high ceiling, while maintaining the original look and feel of the historic building. LG Electronics says its Multi V 5 HVAC air conditioning system was the ideal match for the venue, providing a mix of functionality and style.  

Transforming an 80-year-old venue 

The 920m venue retains its arched-roofed Quonset hut structures and high ceilings, and houses a 150-seat dining area, central bar area, function space and a covered courtyard. Its vaulted curved-steel ceiling and spacious footprint – shielded from the street by a brick façade ­– make it a unique venue in the hospitality market, says LG.

The original site had an exposed metal rib truss and corrugated iron roof, with the previous fit-out demolished to expose the raw historic structure of the building. There was no insulation for heat or sound reduction.  

According to Ben Brown, the distinctive site required a powerful solution that could effectively air condition and soundproof the interior – including the high ceilings – without taking away from the aesthetic. 

“The challenges we faced were converting essentially a shed with no thermal properties and no acoustic properties into a hospitality venue that would be around for years to come,” says Brown.  “Given the unique nature of the space, it was very important to us that the air conditioning units were both functional and aesthetically pleasing.” 

The right solution for the right atmosphere 

Stratton Bar and Kitchen engaged with a consultant engineer at Integrate Group to design the capacity of the air conditioning system. The challenge was to ensure fresh air circulation in the building complied with the ventilation standards set out by the Building Code of Australia. 

Integrate Group calculated that the project required 180kW of air conditioning. There were 10 ceiling-mounted cassettes required in the restaurant area, one ducted unit in the kitchen, and a final ceiling cassette in the upstairs office. 

“The LG Multi V 5 system was chosen for the Stratton Bar and Kitchen project based on aesthetics, price and ease of installation,” says Jerome Higgins, Managing Director, Integrated Group. “The system’s large capacity outdoor units allowed us to minimise the space and lighten the total load needed for installation, which helped us overcome one of the main design hurdles – to keep the space neat and tidy.

“The Multi V 5 provided ultimate installation flexibility for its key components, which aided in our solution to build a mezzanine in the back to house the HVAC system, and not take away from the restaurant’s aesthetics inside. We achieved this by opening up the back wall with mesh and installing ventilation through the roof.” 

In addition, the integrated solution came with 10 14kW round cassettes, which were installed in the main dining and bar areas, as well one 28kW high static ducted system set up in the kitchen. LG says its round cassette vents not only deliver a beautiful design, but also cover the large area of the space with flexible airflow. 

Technology and control for comfort

LG says that with its Multi V 5, Stratton Bar and Kitchen now has a custom-designed, energy-efficient air conditioning system that is easily controlled via the LG ThinQ app on a secure WiFi network. 

“The app connectivity provides convenience and allows staff to control fan speed, temperature, and mode remotely through a smart device,” says LG. “The app also allows staff to switch off individual cassettes when not needed and the flexible airflow prevents diners being blasted with cold air while seated.  

“For added comfort, the Multi V 5 is also equipped with the innovative dual sensing control, which helps the air conditioning unit evaluate climate conditions down to the smallest detail,” says the company.

“Unlike conventional air conditioners, which only track temperature, the LG Multi V 5 system measures both temperature and humidity levels for outdoor and indoor environments. The comprehensive understanding of multiple climate conditions helps the solution determine its parameters to achieve optimal energy efficiency and maximum indoor comfort levels.” 

Brad Reed, Head of B2B Marketing (Solutions for Business) at LG Electronics Australia says that LG is passionate about providing innovative technology that supports the ever-changing demands for businesses.

“This project with Integrate and Stratton Bar and Kitchen is a great example of how our HVAC solutions enable a comfortable atmosphere for a variety of business settings, working unobtrusively in the background and adding to the aesthetic of the venue. The technology is what keeps offices, hospitals, hotels, shopping malls and other indoor commercial settings cool in the summer and warm in the cool months.”