Sponsored by: SHOPSPEC
Winner - The Arsenal 'Diamond Club' Emirates Stadium, London
The design brief was to “create the best place in the world to watch football”, and it was agreed between
Client and designer that the Diamond Club environment should reflect and embrace the Art Deco style of the marble halls of the previous Arsenal FC ground, the Highbury Stadium, whilst also fitting into a very 21st Century environment.
The Arsenal traditionally stands for ‘Tradition with Vision’, and the agreement with the Client reflected this. Whilst the stadium is very 21st Century, the Diamond Club reflects the traditional background of the club and embraces the Art Deco style of the previous Arsenal FC ground, the Highbury Stadium.
The Diamond Club needed to have, via the Art Deco approach, an air of understated luxury - a 21st Century Gentlemen’s Club where standards never needed to be stated and the environment was elegant in it’s form. Materials of the highest quality were used to create this.
The procesess of construction involved were some of the most stringent that the designer had ever been asked to adhere to, and
this meant that the shopfitter needed to be ‘as one’ with the designer throughout the 18-month project.
The end result is stunningly crafted environment. “The Diamond Club is now the best place in the world to watch football”.
Judges’ comments:
“The judges were unanimous in their choice of this year’s winner. Luxury spaces demand large budgets, but what impressed the judges was the concept behind the design. The Diamond Club is a world class piece of work that was inspired by the original ground’s Art Deco heritage to create a contemporary luxury lounge for Arsenal’s wealthiest fans.
“The attention to detail is exemplary. For example, design features include a series of beautifully executed and cleverly conceived art pieces and marquetry panels that each tell a story of the Club’s heritage.
“The Diamond Club raises the bar for all luxury spaces.”
Designer: 20/20 Ltd
Shopfitter: Hadley Shopfitters |
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Runner up - Manchester 235 Casino
Watson Street, Manchester
The design brief was to design a luxurious and contemporary interior within an industrialised shell, a Las Vegas-style environment incorporating a number of different features and attractions. With the Manchester235, the Client was looking to create an opulent, Las Vegas-style environment that contrasted with the listed interior and broke from the tradition of postindustrial minimalism. Manchester235 comprises a purpose built live music venue, gaming areas, VIP area with private dining and two restaurants; the lively and casual Numero restaurant on the ground floor and the warm and inviting Linen Restaurant with a boutique walk-in wine cellar on the mezzanine floor as well as three uber-cool lounges and funky bars.
Working within the constraints of a listed building posed many challenges but in most instances the team were able to turn these to advantage, making features of existing structures that had to remain.
The project brought together a team that had no previous experience of working together. The exceptional high quality of the final solution, coupled with the fact that it was a complex project which had a number of changes implemented whilst work was on-going. A communications procedure was established at the outset to ensure that any queries during the programme of works were dealt with efficiently and accurately. This was an extremely ambitious project; working to a tight deadline within the confines of a listed building takes exceptional teamwork and skill. Despite inevitable last minute changes, the team has delivered outstanding design and craftsmanship and a finish that is of the highest quality.
Judges’ comments:
“Casinos are not normally noted for their sophistication, wit or creativity. Manchester 235 breaks important new ground with a glamorous urban leisure environment in a listed Victorian warehouse.
“The space has been particularly well thought through with a series of bold and occasionally extravagant destination bars, restaurants and private rooms. Every element has been beautifully integrated into the existing environment to enhance the original brickwork and steel columns etc.”
Designer: Nicholas Hollinshead Interiors
Shopfitter: WFC
Click here to
download a PDF version of our NAS 2007
Design Prize Award Winners brochure. You can also see
the winners of the previous year in our 2006
Winners brochure.
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