Alan Yau's latest venture with Parisian decorator Jacques Garcia makes an opulent debut in the heart of Mayfair, combining Chinese fine-dining, dancing and late night entertainment.
Gerardo and Althea were the original lighting designers of Park Chinois before joining Light IQ. After learning about their career move from their previous company, Alan Yau then appointed Light IQ to finalise the detailing and monitor the implementation of the lighting, as well as complete the final styling and scene setting for the entire project.
A dream of Alan's for several years and three years in the making (with a mind-blowing budget of nearly £17 million) the project takes over the two floors of a former nightclub and restaurant on prestigious Berkeley Street. Jacques Garcia's glamour and flamboyance in interior decoration translates into one of the most opulent and lavish entertainment venues in Europe.
The quality of the lighting had to marry with the elegance and sophistication of the interior decor, yet be ultra-discreet and "compatible" with the style and function of each space. Alan's meticulous (and sometimes fastidious) attention to detail meant that all lighting elements had to be perfectly and flawlessly incorporated into the design. This included the decorative lighting, supplied mostly from France by the best manufacturers of historic chandeliers and lighting paraphernalia.
The result is the ultimate glamour experience. Warm, soft tones illuminate surfaces and faces. Accents over the curtains and walls achieve dramatic signatures across the interior experience. The overall ambiance is perfectly balanced throughout the day - large scale back lit glass ceilings provide a sense of daytime passing, whilst golden candelabra and discreet uplighting create an intimate atmosphere conducive to night time entertainment.
Flexibility was key and a stage lighting system had to be incorporated into the design of both floors. The basement venue - Club Chinois - is to become a full dining and dancing experience, whereas the ground floor Salon Chinois offers the perfect setting for afternoon tea, glamorous dining and on-stage performances of bands and soloists.
(All images © Peter Kociha Photography / Light IQ)
Park Chinois
