CHALLENGE

I worked on 6 championships, each with their own merits and challenges. Bratislava 2019 posed the biggest challenge, converting an ice rink into an immersive hospitality space.

The answer was simple, if a little cliché: we started from the ground up. Step one, melt the ice.

STRATEGY

The space provided challenges in design, so we focused our strategy on highlighting the positives and disguising the negatives. Sky-high ceilings offered incredible opportunities to wow guests and bring the grandeur of scale, but the lighting options were limited – game-day bright or completely off.

So, we turned them off and devised a lighting strategy that would illuminate the brand and enhance the space with an intimate mood. The final phase was to define a set of brand touchpoints and create the show-stoppers that add magic.

SOLUTION

We created bespoke chandeliers that maximised the high ceilings and flooded the drapes above with light projections. The lack of pre-existing walls meant we could create a spatial plan that would take guests on a journey, with the end zone a head-turning LED centrepiece.

Finally, we brought the giants of the game to life with a heroes wall that created the perfect photo opportunity.