Luma Bar and Restaurant

Luma, meaning ‘light’ in French, is the reimagined restaurant at central Adelaide’s boutique Art Nouveau hotel, The Playford. Hachem revived a tired space to deliver an Instagram-worthy dining room that has re-established The Playford as a destination venue.



Luma offers a contemporary expression of Art Nouveau through strong lines and robust materials. As the most public part of the hotel, the brief called for the restaurant to exhibit a dramatic and compelling design that would restore a sense of place to this iconic hotel.



But budget constraints meant the success of the project would hinge on updating several existing features and complementing them with a focused number of striking additions.



The most conspicuous of these additions is the feature artwork. This awe-inspiring contemporary lighting piece goes all-out to create a powerful talking point for guests and visitors. Labelled a ‘sculptural chandelier’, it is a spectacular installation that takes design notes from the ornamental motifs contained in The Playford’s logo. Its freeform design offers a sparkling counterpoint to the rigid formation of the ceiling fenestration, creating an unforgettable modern articulation of Art Nouveau design.



Elsewhere, plush dining chairs are elegantly textured, while tables in traditional materials highlight flowing lines and geometric shapes to reflect the character of contemporary Art Nouveau. Rich tones of cinnamon, mocha and gold throughout the restaurant convey warmth and comfort.



Not every budget permits a complete rebuild, nor do the modern principles of sustainability allow what exists to be torn down and discarded without careful consideration.



In this sense, the project at Luma offers a very thoughtful and contemporary solution that encourages us to blend fresh elements imaginatively and sensitively with those that continue to provide faithful service.



The excellence in this interior is the combination of innovation and pragmatism that has transformed a restaurant space with a focused number of distinctive pieces and the creative rejuvenation of existing features.