Anamo Design Studio: Creating a High-Tech, Formula 1 Inspired Bar

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a high-tech, Formula 1 inspired bar design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Anamo Design Studio.

Anamo Design Studio was briefed to design a unique, one-of-a-kind environment that beautifully blends the premium and glamorous Formula 1 lifestyle with the high-tech, energy infused Formula 1 racing. The result: F1® Arcade – the world’s first official premium F1 experiential venue. The immersive, state of the art F1 racing simulation experience comes with 60 motion F1 simulators enabling guests to live the thrill of racing, complemented by a best-in-class food and beverage offering created by the executive chef and expert mixologists.

What was the client's brief? 

We were involved from the early brand strategy and concept creation stages all the way through construction, FF&E installation and handover and we had full creative freedom. The Client also trusted us with the Interior Design budget comprising of finishes, joinery and bespoke seating, FF&E, lighting, sanitaryware and accessories to ensure the overall scheme reflected the design core values established at the beginning of the project. This allowed us to prioritise certain design elements in the 16,500 sqft (1,500 sqm) venue, such as the impactful 13m long, 4m tall main bar, full-height backlit partitions, bespoke circuit-inspired kinetic chandeliers and the plush upholstered cocktail seating. Given the size and scale of the venue, we had to think creatively about how we approached the procurement of all loose furniture and lighting. We opted to tender each part of the project to guarantee the best quality for the available budget. Although challenging from a coordination perspective, this way of running the project resulted in working with and supporting various small local businesses / suppliers.

What inspired the design of the project?

Prior to commencing the concept design stages, we focused on creating an abstract language with elements inspired from Formula 1 heritage and iconography that were re-interpreted as interior design elements. This included the ‘F’ radius becoming a repeated feature throughout the design from back bar arches, to cocktail seating and washroom doors. These re-interpreted iconography elements were layered over the core design pillars: assault of the senses and raw glamour to create a unique design strategy.

From concept to execution, we worked closely with all project consultants to ensure the design impact was retained even after layers of value engineering. We aimed to create an environment where, right from the entrance, the guests are transported into a world where all senses are suspended with the exception of sound and sight. A roaring F1 engine fills the small ground floor space with an electric energy and the black mirror-effect staircase flooded with arches of light acts as a portal leading to the main guest experiences.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

Given the size of the venue, the 10-month timeline from feasibility and brand creation to on-site completion was a challenging target. This got increasingly harder to achieve due to the outside economic factors happening in the world at that point. We started the design stages in January 2022 and by the time we were given possession of site, the political conflict in Eastern Europe heightened. This resulted in increased lead times and prices of raw materials coming from Ukraine and neighbouring countries, which put more pressure on the project timeline and budget. The entire consultant team had to work creatively to find alternative design solutions from both an aesthetic and construction perspective to ensure the project was still feasible and could be delivered as promised. This resulted in several, lengthy value engineering stages running in parallel to the main build where drastic, but smart and creative budget related decisions had to be made. Another challenging factor was the location with the building sitting opposite St Paul’s Cathedral in London. We worked on layout options that maximised the views to the cathedral, and opted for various reflective finishes, especially in the Private Room, to celebrate the iconic London landmark.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

One of the most important project successes was the creation and delivery of the F1 Arcade flagship location on time and on budget, against all external factors at play, without decreasing the high level of finishes and design initially proposed. In parallel, putting lighting at the forefront of the design was a successful creative decision that achieved the desired wow factor. We did this by incorporating creative and bespoke lighting solutions into all project elements from the very early concept stages, rather than looking at lighting after the design was signed-off.

Additionally, we found rewarding working with a client that shares our ambition to push the boundaries of F&B design and social entertainment. We believe we were able to create an incredible venue that honours the core design pillars set at the beginning of the project: assault of all senses and raw glamour. With all those iconic features of the design in the venue alongside the panoramic views of St Paul’s Cathedral layered over the well-considered lighting scheme create a captivating and memorable environment all guests can enjoy whether they are a F1 fan or not. We very much enjoyed returning to the venue post-completion and experiencing the space at full capacity.

The success of the project helped us win more experiential hospitality concepts, allowing us to push more boundaries in our upcoming projects, which is something that excites all of us here at Anamo Design Studio.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

Our unwavering commitment to innovative and exceptional design has always driven us to push boundaries and redefine the possibilities within the realm of interior design. It is with this passion that we proudly decided to apply for the SBID Awards.

The SBID Awards does not only celebrate design excellence, but also serves as a distinguished platform to showcase our creative thinking on an international stage. As a studio that thrives on collaborative design, we believe that participating in the SBID Awards also provides us with a remarkable opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow industry experts. Through our participation, we aim to emphasize our dedication to delivering design solutions that not only captivate, but also enrich the lives of those who experience them.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being named an Award Finalist for the SBID Awards holds a great significance for us at Anamo Design Studio. It serves as a resounding validation for our tireless efforts to create designs that transcend conventional boundaries and evoke profound emotions. This recognition not only highlights our studio's dedication to delivering excellence, but also positions us among the industry’s leading studios who share our commitment to constantly challenge the standards of creative expression.

The prestigious SBID Awards platform provides us with an invaluable opportunity to showcase our work to a global audience and solidifies our reputation as a go-to destination for cutting-edge and impactful design solutions. As an Award Finalist, we are filled with a sense of accomplishment that propels us to continue striving for greatness, setting new benchmarks, and consistently delivering designs that inspire and captivate.

Questions answered by Ana Moisin, Creative Director & Founder at Anamo Design Studio.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an urban jungle club design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Harmony World Consultant & Design.

HWCD design was commissioned to design interior space for The Catania Club Chengdu. The project is an exclusive multi-dimensional social space, with a greater emphasis on diversified and artistic design, presenting a new contemporary vertical living system. The club has created multiple spatial scenes in different fields, which are closely connected and also private, aiming to create a highly vertical and permeable life, work, and social scene.

What was the client's brief? 

The project is composed of two ultra high towers with a height of 222 meters, and is a landmark of the core city of Chengdu. This project is an exclusive multi-dimensional social space, with a greater emphasis on diversified and artistic design, presenting a new contemporary vertical living system. The club has created multiple spatial scenes in different fields, which are closely connected and also private, aiming to create a highly vertical and permeable life, work, and social scene.

What inspired the design of the project?

The entire space is themed with the theme of 'Jungle Mystery', presenting an exotic atmosphere, making people feel like they are in an adventurous world. The space is divided into six multi-functional areas, separated by arches, each step bringing a brand new scene. In a two-layer elevated space, curves are used as important visual clues to penetrate multiple spatial levels, breaking the square symmetry of horizontal and vertical planes, creating a transparent and varied visual and artistic picture.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The design of this project is very different from that of ordinary luxury houses. It needs to pay more attention to diversified and artistic design, presenting a new vertical living system in the contemporary era. A number of space scenes in different fields are created in the space, which are closely connected and private, aiming to create a highly vertical and multi permeable life, work and social scene.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Our team used a lot of arch cutting and arc modeling in the design of the space, creating the feeling of medieval Europe and European art museums. Precious Taihu stone works of art can be seen at the entrance, showing the elegant taste of residents. The elevator hall continues the arc shape used in the lobby space, and also uses rare red copper metal plate splicing, making the whole space more luxurious and grand. The metal handcrafted brushed panel with light leaking lighting design creates a feeling of mysterious urban jungle.

The design inspiration of the coffee bar comes from London Mondrian Hotel, which uses animal patterned furniture shapes and fabric fabrics, and integrates rich animal and plant elements, forming a echo with the garden landscape. It is worth mentioning that the design inspiration of the bar area came from the glorious period of the ancient Roman Empire, which was dominated by gold and turquoise gold, and often used gold, silver, copper and other metal elements to express luxury, power and dignity. On this basis, we have adopted the combination of gold and blue gold to create the bar counter in the bar area to create a luxurious and noble atmosphere. The inverted triangle metal wine rack wall is a highlight of the bar area, which not only echoes the grandeur and magnificence of the bar, but also has its own unique beauty and practicality.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

As one of the most prestigious awards in the world, SBID has attracted the attention and participation of many internationally renowned designers with its strict selection criteria. From a professional perspective, SBID focuses on exploring, summarising and exploring the latest trends in the field of design. It also has high standards and requirements for the design works participating in the awards. Every year, authoritative experts in the industry assess the technical content and aesthetic creativity of the entries, and is committed to commendation, reward and publicity of various excellent designs.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

The SBID Design Award has a very high competitiveness and influence in the international design industry. Being shortlisted for the SBID Design Award is not only a recognition of designers' professional ability, but also a recognition of their design achievements in the world.

Questions answered by Hongjun Lin, Managing Director of Harmony World Consultant & Design.