Biophilic design, resort-style lounges and expanded dining areas define Buchan’s redesign of Wenty Leagues dining and entertainment club in Sydney’s west.
Developed over more than a decade, the project repositions the club as a contemporary entertainment hub and community gathering place, shaped through integrated architecture, interiors and wayfinding.
Arrival sequence and foyer design set a generous spatial scale
The foyer is conceived as the primary point of arrival and orientation. Full-height glazing brings daylight deep into the interior, while a restrained palette of timber and stone establishes a grounded material base.
Vertical timber slats introduce rhythm overhead, adding structure without visual heaviness. Planting is used to soften edges and mediate scale, preventing the space from feeling overly monumental.
Circulation is deliberately made legible, with escalators, lifts, and stairs positioned within clear sightlines to support intuitive movement between levels.
Biophilic lounge interiors prioritise calm and comfort
In the lounge areas, the design shifts towards a more enclosed, biophilic environment. Planting is integrated into walls and raised planters, moving beyond decorative application to become part of spatial definition.
Water features introduce sound and movement, reinforcing a slower spatial rhythm. Seating is arranged in varied configurations, from larger upholstered banquettes to smaller clustered settings, supporting both group interaction and quieter occupation.
The palette draws from surrounding greenery, with deep greens and blues reinforcing a consistent visual link to the planted elements.
Colour-driven dining spaces introduce energy and scale
Dining areas shift the interior language towards higher contrast and activity. Stronger colour accents in seating, patterned flooring and ceiling treatments establish a distinct change in atmosphere from the lounges.
The upper-level dining and function spaces are designed for flexibility, with layouts that can adapt between intimate service and large-scale events. Acoustics are managed through layered materials and spatial planning.
Planting remains present but is more structural, used to define zones and guide movement rather than dominate the space.
Bar and gaming zones balance spectacle with control
The bar and gaming areas introduce a more visually charged environment. Illuminated shelving and feature lighting define the bar as a focal point, while timber partitions create thresholds between social and gaming zones.
The layout maintains separation between high-energy activity and seated areas, ensuring different program uses can operate in parallel.
Material choices and lighting are calibrated to balance the intensity of gaming machines, balancing visual stimulation with a controlled spatial framework.
Arbor anchors the club’s new social heart
Arbor brings together the project’s material and spatial language in a more restrained setting. Timber finishes, patterned surfaces and layered planting create an environment focused on slower movement and informal gathering.
Arbor serves as a connector among different parts of the club, linking the more animated dining and entertainment spaces to quieter areas. The emphasis here is on rhythm and continuity rather than visual impact.
A redefined suburban club interior for Sydney’s west
The project is defined less by individual design features than by the sequencing of contrasting environments: calm and energetic, enclosed and open, subdued and vibrant.
Buchan’s long-term involvement on the club has allowed interiors, architecture and circulation strategy to evolve as a continuous system rather than isolated interventions.
The result is a contemporary entertainment and dining destination for Sydney’s west, shaped around layered social spaces that move between hospitality, leisure and gathering.
Images: Courtesy of Buchan