The Big Tree Tavern located on Dorset Street, not far from Croke Park GAA Stadium is one of most famous pubs in Dublin with a tavern at the site since 1543. During the construction of the Dublin One Hotel The pub was closed, the old interior of the pub was removed and the footprint reduced. The Architecturally significant exterior was all that remained of the Big Tree Tavern. The buildings were former Georgian houses that had Victorian Ground Floor additions, read more here.
The Design Brief
The Big Tree Tavern is very popular with sports fans attending GAA matches and concerts at Croke Park Stadium. Intec Design were asked to develop a layout that would feel comfortable and atmospheric on the quieter nights but to have the flexibility to cater to a large number of customers during peak times. This was achieved by;
- creating an island bar;
- adding drink shelves; and
- selecting the right mix of loose and fixed furniture.
How Intec Design achieved a traditional pub design
The traditional interior designs were developed to reflect the Victorian exterior and to stay true to the pubs reputation. Using CAD drawings Intec Design added the following features:
- Mahogany bar counters with a stained finish
- Painted (fire rated) MDF panelling on walls
- Salvaged woodblock floors – these were old repurposed woodblocks that had the old bitumen adhesive removed and were lightly sanded to retain their aged look
- Traditional style lighting e.g. Ribbed glass pendants and antique brass wall lights
- Traditional wallpaper and the used of embossed wallpaper with a painted finish
- Porcelain wall tiles
- Selection of upholstery and the design of the furniture
