Home / ANALYSIS / Design / Ultra elite

A combination of concrete flooring and black seating injects a touch of urban glamour
[More Images]

“We were lucky with the impressive height of the ceiling. It’s tiered itself, so the main challenge was to get this
venue to have the perfect split-level,” Duncalf added.
Further developing the traditional theme, interiors were designed to bear resemblance to an Arabian courtyard. Using a striking mix of crystal and glass, walls were designed to mimic the old-style intricately carved mashrabiya woodwork. “When you walk into Club Bang, you’re instantly overwhelmed by the cast acrylic crystals and black high-gloss blocks, a contemporary take on the traditional Arabic mashrabiya.

“It’s essentially a floor-to-ceiling lacquered black brick wall. The wall, interspersed with cast acrylic crystals, leads you through the main entrance and right the way through to the lounge of the club,” said Rahman.

“The black brick wall is illuminated by hundreds of LEDs. Our lighting designers from Inverse Lighting, based in London, were a very important part of the project. Credit must be given to them,” Duncalf added.

Story continues below

Advertisement

COMMENT Comment on this article

Intricate lighting and intelligent use of technology are fundamental to the club’s intended ‘wow’ factor. “One of the key features of the club is the backdrop. The backdrop to three sides of the club is in fact full-wall LEDs, framed by the architecture. I can have a range of patterns going across it, almost like digital wallpaper,” said Rahman. 

“For example, I can have an image of a fireplace, twinkling lights, or even a graphic saying ‘Happy New Year’, absolutely anything! In this particular instance, the constantly changing content is being supplied and developed for us by a Norwegian motion graphics agency,” he continued.

Also designed to draw attention to itself, the ceiling has essentially been converted into a 90m² chandelier through the blanket use of LED drop lights, creating an effect unseen anywhere else in the Middle East region, according to Rahman.

Bringing together all elements of technology and lighting design, a rhythmic interplay of lights and music is set to stun the crowds. “We’ll have a light jockey and disk jockey. To give you an idea, there will be someone monitoring the music and lighting full time; both will be integrated and work in alignment with one another,” said Duncalf.
“If you take the ceiling, the walls and the music, it creates this fantastic environment, pulling together to make the ultimate Bang experience. You’ll be completely enveloped in this lighting, graphic, rhythmical experience.”