design et al are delighted to announce that El Equipo Creativo have been shortlisted for Bar/Club/Lounge – Europe Award in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2018.
Hidden underground of the Madrilenian neighbourhood “Barrio de Las Letras” under a refurbished palace of the eighteenth century, you will find two vaulted spaces built in brick. It is in this provocative and secret location, where the Bala perdida (Lost Bullet) club is located.
El Equipo Creativo had two main design premises. On the one hand the singularity of the existing space, with two subterranean dark vaults built in brick, as antique caves or cellars. On the other hand, the proposed venue, a night club that should have the versatility to work as a snack and cocktail bar, where a fast mutation would happen at some point of the night and the general scenery would quickly switch from a warm atmosphere into a dance floor. This need of transformation and that kind of clandestine atmosphere made El Equipo Creativo think of a space with a close relation to mystery where you could not omit the magic and the optical illusions.
The key aspect of the project was the use of two protagonist elements:
Mirrors: At both ends of each vault a mirror was placed, producing an optical illusion known as the “endless mirror”. When facing two mirrors, the reflection of one on the other makes the reflected image, the image of the vault, become into something infinite and therefore the vaults turn into endless tunnels.
Changing lighting: Light and colour are the protagonists of the project. At the axis of the two vaults El Equipo Creativo proposed two longitudinal dynamic digital led lamps casted among the suspended acoustic panels that change speed and colour depending on the different scenes at the venue. Also, the drink-bar works as a lamp itself, providing a warm fire toned light that serves as a basis for the playful lights in the surfaces of the vaults.
With these two elements, the two vaults that shape the Bala Perdida Club adapt the atmosphere as required at every moment, being at the same time more calmed at its edges (with cosy built-in sofas) and much crazier in the middle area (standing by the bar to the rhythm of music and lights).
The Bala Perdida Club is opened to the general Madrilian public, but oriented to rascal people with a refined taste. El Equipo Creatvio think the design engages perfectly with this type of client.