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created about 1 year ago | Tagged: |
Padi La
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Originally ‘the destination,’ the name Hi-Lo was borne out of the efforts of Dietwee – the graphic experts in Utrecht creating the club’s 2D identity. The restaurant design is definitely international material and instantly visualizes both the concepts of Heaven and Hell which is demonstrated perfectly in the amazing restaurant interiors.
Workshop of Wonders graced this hospitality design which demonstrates the various aspects and experiences of getting stoned. Located in Utrecht, Hi-Lo is the first new pot smoking venue in 20 years. Around 15 venues in the same city have been around since then and this is the most recent addition to the collection. In Amsterdam, there are more than 200 “coffee shops.” Mazied Moos – the client and owner of the said venue – spent more than six years in an attempt to get permit from authorities on this new location considering there are federal and municipal restrictions.
The Workshop of Wonders was chosen to create a new identity and new energy to Hi-Lo. As the client struggled for so long, they only wanted what was best in order to realize the beautiful restaurant in this location. The location consists of two floors with an area of 100 square meters that are situated on top of each other. The ground floor is the Heaven and the Hell is placed at the basement.
Even though the modern architects and designers of Workshop of Wonders don’t smoke dope, they loved the idea of adventure and understood the idea of the “need” to get away from it. This is the concept they implemented on the restaurant design.
In collaboration with the client, they succeeded giving the Dutch weed smoking bar – which ironically is the only legal ones on Earth – a new impulse and direction that they would be proud to launch. Though the hospitality design is a smoking venue, it did not compromise the security and comfort for the guests. This can be demonstrated impeccably through the use of elements that reflects the Arabic atmosphere.
For the “Heaven” floor, the idea was to create a space that evokes the sense of floating in a cloud, airy and light landscape. The addition of the heavenly Wall Art by the Shop Around agency in Amsterdam supported and reinforced the concept fully – including the sunrays radiating from the only back window. Large organic glass elements at the entrance were created to control the access of clients. Cubistic clouds of glass and steel were installed as the sales counter and placed the screen to hide the vending and coffee machines.
The “Hell” part has been more direct and was inspired by the opium dens of the East. The Arabic theme completed this concept.
