A decor has to be unique to stand out among the trendy cafes and nightclubs in Park Road, Milton, one of Brisbane’s most fashionable locations, and it certainly has to possess the wow factor to compete with the multitude of sensory experiences which greet clubbers out to see the latest bands and DJs.

A unique interior, using stainless steel, which would wow the patrons, was the brief SOBAR NightClub owner Darren Perris gave Brisbane fabricator Klein Architectural, along with just 48 hours for concept, design and installation before opening night.

The mission was accomplished with patterned stainless surfaces to capitalise on the venue’s electric blue lighting and generate myriad shifting reflections, creating the perfect high-energy setting for the pounding beats and sinuous rhythms of the nightclub scene.

Working within a budget of around $8,000, Klein used 13 sheets of 0.9mm thick, grade 304 stainless with a 2B finish, supplied by ASSDA member Fagersta Steels, to line the bulkhead and square columns of the bar area. This was set off with 65mm round mirror polished tube at the rear of the bulkhead.

Following straightforward fabrication using glue and screwed fixings for the skinning, a heavy metal look was achieved by gluing the heads of cup bolts over counter-sunk screws.

Stainless panels on the columns were linished horizontally in a heavy grain and customised patterning was applied to the stainless steel skins of external and interior bulkheads and corners of the columns.

The end result is a shining example of stainless steel being used artistically and functionally without compromising either purpose.

This article featured in Australian Stainless Issue 24 - March 2003.