Light Up the Night at Trendy Nightclub
Posted
12/10/2010
Northern lights appear to shine and
shimmer across the large curving planes of Impulse nightclub's
interior partitions. This new club features the translucent
backdrop of Cascade Coil Drapery, upon which the Aurora Borealis
seems to glow and shape-shift, the brainchild of interior designer
Tina Johansen, interior designer with ALSC Architects, Spokane,
Wash. The grazing light hits the floor-to-ceiling dividers and
illuminates the elegant detail of Cascade Coil's wire-mesh fabric,
while at the same time drawing the eye upward to witness the
dramatic sweep of the light show.
"As we tried to determine how to best display the lights to create
a magical appearance both at night and during the day it became
important to select a material that could lend sophistication, as
well as a surface unified enough to reflect the lights well," said
Johansen. "Theatrical special effects lighting combined with
sophisticated software creates the illusion of northern lights, by
intricate changes in colors and intensity choreographed over time.
The light show is displayed on large curving planes of Cascade Coil
Drapery that create elegant translucent backdrops within the
club."
The 3/16-inch, 19
½-gauge galvanized steel drapery from Cascade Coil Drapery,
Portland, Ore., was chosen in the Alumabrite color. The small,
tight weave and the light color helped to reflect the light, and
the use of metal coil drapery allowed subtle partitioning of space
and layered depth effects by night while conveying a sense of
luxury by day.
"We chose Cascade Coil Drapery because of its ability to display
grazing light, yet allow for a view beyond the material," said
Johansen.
The 4,800-square-foot (446 m2) nightclub is part of the Northern
Quest Resort and Casino just outside Spokane. The sensation of
intimacy within the larger club space at night gives way to a
functional sophistication by day, when the nightclub is used as a
business meeting space. The project was completed in a very short
timeframe. NQRC approached the team about coming up with an idea
for an existing area directly off their main casino floor and
schematic sketches were presented in late November--two weeks after
the request was made. By the first week of January, the design was
complete and the contractor used the remainder of January for
procurement.
"Demolition of the existing space and construction was done in an
amazing 30 days," said Johansen. The wire-mesh fabric by Cascade
Coil comes in hundreds of weaves and colors and has been used in
thousands of settings around the world.
"The metal mesh product from Cascade Coil utilized on the project
was heavier than typical fabric materials, so hardware and turning
radii needed to be taken into account," said Randy Duncan, project
manager with Lydig Construction, Spokane. "Since it was the only
drapery in the project, we utilized our carpenters to install the
backing, track and screen material. They were impressed with the
products and the overall appearance, as was everyone else who has
seen the installation."
Since the doors of Impulse were opened, guests have expressed
their excitement for the tasteful, upscale feel of the club.
"The entire interior represents a modern touch of class, from the
curving metal drapery with bright lights beaming across it, to the
white leather furnishings for the guests' comfort, to the private
cigar lounge," said Jim Becker, vice president of hospitality at
Northern Quest Resort & Casino. "Impulse has become a
distinguished venue for Northern Quest and I believe a great
portion is due in part to the look and feel completed by the design
and contractor team."
Northern Quest Resort and Casino, Spokane,
Wash.
Project Management: Lydig Construction,
Spokane
Lighting: DEI Electrical Consultants, Spokane
Valley, Wash.
Architect: ALSC Architects, Spokane
Manufacturer: Cascade Coil Drapery, Portland,
Ore., www.cascadecoil.com