At the Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre, St. Trop is a pool deck on the rooftop. During the day, it’s a chilled deck that’s great for relaxation, and at night, it transforms into a fun party venue. Design Brief In the brief, the client proposed that LW Design create an energetic poolside bar that’s inspired by St Tropez trends and the area’s aesthetic of enjoyment for locals and visitors alike. Concept LW’ lead designers on this project; Pooja Shah-Mulani and Jenni Davies were inspired by the French Cote d’Azur’s unique vibe and exclusive luxury yacht ambience. The concept behind the space was to develop a venue that was fun with contemporary elements. It needed to be fitted with unique décor that allowed a transformative effect in the transition from day to night. Implemented Design Elements To bring the concept to life, the LW Design team came up with the idea of a teak floor with geometric cuts and bold fabrics featuring monochrome stripes. Behind the bar, a mural of different faces made from greenery-based artwork is an ode to the people of St Tropez as it channels their spirit and charisma. Meanwhile, the aqua fabrics reflect the colours of the Mediterranean Sea. To set it like a pool deck, they added sun loungers that can be lowered easily, and grouped to set up a lounge for guests in the evening. Execution ALEC completed the fit-out whilst Arkinature made the spectacular nature-based artwork. Ambiance and Technical Aspects For the daytime ambiance, the goal was to give the space a fresh new feeling with a relaxed atmosphere. But during nighttime, the space transforms into a club-like area with colored lights highlighting the pool as well as the floor and bar. This leads to an environment that’s perfect for parties where guests can enjoy drinks from after sunset until dawn. Because of the area’s advanced décor and design elements, the biggest technical challenge in terms of execution was to seal the space from the elements. At the same time, the LW Design team had to give what was once a harsh-looking stone box, some character, warmth, and embedded personality. They attained this by using geometrically patterned screens to surround the area, which makes the pool a focal point of the design. To add warmth to a rather open design, they incorporated timber slats, adding them to the ceiling and walls. Moreover, they also channeled nature into the space by adding greenery to the structural columns. Material Palette The space is highlighted with bold yet simple textures and finishes because of how they best define the LW Design philosophy. By using large format concrete tiles, the team gave a back-to-basics vibe. In contrast to the rawness of concrete, they used dark basalt stone with ribbed detailing behind the bar, with LED lights to highlight its features. As visitors enter the space, lime and turquoise-colored cushions complement the monochromatic loungers. Furniture Selection The selection of outdoor furniture needed to be subtle yet impactful. For the perfect Instagram-worthy shot, birdcage hanging chairs are installed at the corners of the upper deck. The lower lounge exudes a simplistic aesthetic with modular lounge seating in charcoal tones. Custom-designed side tables are placed near loungers, inspired by the appearance of drink trolleys. Smart tables that double as ice buckets are littered throughout the space. What Stands Out in The Project and Why The project’s transformative nature, depending on the time of the day, defines its dynamic personality. It transforms using modern patterns and colourful decor that bring life to the setting, as well as experimenting with ambient lighting that significantly enhances the mood. While the different components of the interior are not extraordinary, their implementation is what stands out the most. In this way, St. Trop’s most distinct feature is its ability to attain two different aesthetics within a 24-hour span.