Tasked with reinterpreting the classic speak easy, our client was keen to create an unexpected, destination bar. Deep within the Five Hotel, Palm Jumeriah, Dubai, guests arrive to The Secret Room via an underground passage, hidden behind an unmarked door and accessed by a fingerprint scanner.

Our intent was to design an engaging and memorable space, experiential and not perceived as too precious. A bar is the ultimate in escapism and we were not interested in simply producing an indulgent environment.

Hand finished, carved wood detailing is contrasted with sculptural forms and contemporary materiality. The bar, dynamic and fluid, was conceived as an architectural anchor to the space. The luminous metallic finish of the bar is reiterated in the sculpted host and DJ stations, while the cast clear resin pedestal drink tables are liquid in shape.

One of the most unexpected areas is the restrooms. Envisioned as immersive and dimensional, the small footprint of the restroom is purely experiential. One moves through the dimly lit paneled corridor to emerge into the visually expansive restroom. The final results are spellbinding and inspired in part by Stanley Kubrick’s iconic take on futurism.