Assignment

The design directive was to create a unique courtside club at an existing basketball arena. The space was a former alley-facing variety restaurant without bowl access located at a secluded lower concourse area. The restaurant had a low ceiling, complex angular layout, limited access to daylight, and was practically invisible from the street.

Concept

Speakeasy - a secret exclusive establishment that one can join by invitation only. It thrives in secrecy and does not have any outer signage or advertisement. Choosing this concept allowed the design team to turn the disadvantages of the space into advantages: the low ceiling helps with a sense of privacy and limited visibility plays into secrecy.

Design

The central feature of the space is a hoop light fixture hovering above the central bar. The hoop’s bottom edge is slanted to direct attention to the back of the bar. The shape is also inspired by a tradition when a winning team cuts the net off the basketball hoop. The light fixture is finished with expanded metal mesh with rich copper backing showing through. Playing off it, a copper mesh is used throughout the space as translucent privacy barriers, giving a sense of warmth.

The second, subdued light fixture acts as a wayfinding device that partially directs foot traffic off the central axis to auxiliary bars and food services in the corners. This light fixture is also finished with expanded metal mesh to hide numerous utility lines at the ceiling.

Lights are strategically shining through the expanded mesh at the hoop and the second light fixture, casting shadows looking like basketball net and tying the whole club together.