Dubai-based Broadway Interiors has designed the Lounge Bar for Downtown Design 2021, creating a radical, stimulating space within the region's leading fair for quality design, which runs from 8 to 12 November
In addition to letting attendees unwind and relax, the Lounge Bar will provide another important yet informal meeting space for brands and buyers to connect.
The space is situated in the main exhibition area and comprises two distinct sections including an outdoor water- facing terrace.
Broadway Interiors was established by Chris Barnes in 1999 and has continued to build on his reputation for creating daring bar and nightlife interiors. Barnes has been counted amongst Commercial Interior Design magazine’s ‘Top 10 most influential design professionals’ for the last six years.
As well as providing a unique and memorable experience, Barnes says the Lounge Bar “endeavours to change people’s thinking and approach to design within an F&B space, breaking rules of form and function. There are a number of elements being implemented throughout the inside and outside spaces, helping cement our design vision within the fabric of the structure.”
The inspiration for the new space, says Barnes, came from the host city of Downtown Design: “We wanted to create a representation of Dubai in 2021. We decided on three key pillars to build our concept around: people, sustainability and technology. Once we knew what we wanted to achieve our ideas flowed from this…”
Barnes says the most challenging aspect of designing the Lounge Bar was “delivering a space to feel [like] it is a permanent structure, even if only needed for five days; balancing the ‘nice to have’ with the responsible and sustainable approach we are applying to our concept.” This approach is reflected in both the material and colour palettes. “New material content and labour resource were minimised. The colourway is inspired by the Dubai landscape and vista: earthy neutral tones with a few accent colours,” he notes.
“We want to take a holistic and eco-friendly approach to this design and to use recycled and recyclable materials and furnishings,” he says.
“Creating concepts, realising the vision and seeing the client satisfaction once the space is complete: there is nothing better!” he says.
He adds that the Lounge Bar is an opportunity to show another side to Broadway Interiors: “We also wanted the concept to show our diverse talent and – potentially – not what we are known for. We took a collaborative team approach.
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