Fedor Goreglyad & Kamila Gilmutdinova – DA BUREAU / LICC 2024 Winner

Interview with Fedor Goreglyad & Kamila Gilmutdinova from DA BUREAU, LICC Winner in the Professional DECORATE (Interior) category, where they share what inspired their vision, and how did they translate it into the physical space.

DEPARTMET 57 bar & club is situated in a unique historical building. How did the building’s existing architecture influence your design approach, and what challenges did you face in integrating modern elements into this space?

The historical architecture of the building, particularly the existing vaulted ceilings, played a central role in shaping our design approach. Instead of working against the structure, we embraced its strong character and used it as a foundation for creating a minimalistic, mono-material environment that enhances the impact of light and media art. One of the main challenges was preserving the integrity of the historical features while introducing modern, high-tech elements like custom lighting and audiovisual installations. Balancing respect for the past with innovation was key—we aimed to create a seamless blend where the old and new amplify each other.

The project combines club and bar areas that function both together and separately. How did you approach designing these distinct yet cohesive spaces to ensure a seamless experience for guests?

Our approach was to give each area its own unique identity while maintaining a unifying visual and conceptual language throughout the entire space. The club area is energetic and immersive, driven by rhythm, bold lighting, and dynamic media installations. In contrast, the bar area offers a more intimate and atmospheric experience, inspired by natural phenomena like the Northern Lights. What unites both spaces is the consistent use of light as a storytelling medium and the overall minimalist aesthetic that highlights the architectural structure. The transitions between zones were carefully designed to feel natural and fluid, ensuring that guests can move between them without losing the sense of being part of one cohesive environment.

Light and media art were central tools in your design. Can you elaborate on how you utilized these elements to create distinctive, colourful, and unique visual styles for each space?

Light and media art were essential in shaping the identity of each zone. In the club area, we used intense, synchronized lighting effects and dynamic projections to create an electrifying atmosphere. The central glowing sphere and lightning-like installations react to the music, making light an active participant in the experience. In the bar, light plays a more subtle, ambient role — evoking the feeling of natural phenomena like the Northern Lights through soft gradients, sparkles, and reflections. Each space was treated as a canvas for immersive storytelling through light, with every element designed to enhance the mood and guide the emotional journey of the guest.

Best in DECORATE (Interior) “DEPARTMET 57 bar & club” by Fedor Goreglyad, Kamila Gilmutdinova (DA BUREAU)

Your goal was to reimagine the club environment and bring it to the forefront of design, light, and media art. What inspired this vision, and how did you translate it into the physical space?

Our vision was inspired by a desire to break away from the conventional aesthetics of nightlife spaces and create something emotionally engaging and artistically driven. We looked to nature — specifically, rare and powerful natural light phenomena — as a source of inspiration, aiming to reinterpret them in a modern, abstract way. This led us to focus on pure forms, immersive lighting, and media art that responds to sound and movement. In the physical space, we stripped away all unnecessary elements to highlight the architecture and allow light and media to take center stage. Every detail, from the choice of materials to the spatial layout, was designed to support this immersive and transformative atmosphere.

You aimed to eliminate redundancies to encourage guests to not only hear but also feel the music. What specific design choices did you make to achieve this immersive audiovisual atmosphere?

We treated sound and light as a unified system. The lighting installations are directly linked to the music, responding to beats and rhythm in real-time. We also minimized visual noise — surfaces, materials, and architectural forms are intentionally neutral and monolithic, so the focus stays on the sensory experience. The central glowing sphere in the club, surrounded by flashing light “bolts”, is not just a visual centerpiece — it becomes a tangible part of the rhythm, making the energy of the music physically perceptible.

The project draws inspiration from various natural phenomena that create complex lighting effects. Can you share more about these inspirations and how they influenced your lighting design?

We were fascinated by how natural phenomena — like lightning, auroras, and the reflections of ice — produce light in ways that feel both random and harmonious. Each space reflects a specific phenomenon: the club’s intense flashes and energy were inspired by lightning storms, while the bar echoes the softness and wonder of the Northern Lights. The ‘gin’ room, with its cold, crystalline feel, is based on the visual clarity and mystery of ice caves. These concepts were abstracted into lighting scenarios that evoke emotion and set the mood, rather than directly imitating nature.

DA BUREAU is known for creating designs that respect their context and integrate contemporary technologies. How did this philosophy manifest in the DEPARTMET 57 project?

We began by carefully studying the historical character of the building, especially its vaulted structure. Rather than masking or altering these features, we highlighted them by using clean forms and monochromatic materials, creating a dialogue between old and new. At the same time, we integrated advanced lighting systems and responsive media art that contrast yet complement the space. This balance between context and innovation is central to our approach — we see technology not as a statement, but as a tool for deepening spatial experience.

Winning the LICC award is a significant achievement. What does this recognition mean to your team, and how does it influence your approach to future projects?

Receiving the LICC award was a great honor and a confirmation that pushing boundaries and experimenting with sensory design has real value. It motivates us to keep exploring unconventional approaches and reinforces our belief that design is not just about aesthetics, but about experience. This recognition gives us greater confidence to continue creating bold, immersive environments and collaborating with artists and technologists to shape new narratives in spatial design.

Were there any key collaborators or specialists who contributed significantly to realizing your vision for this project?

Yes, the collaboration with YARKO Lighting Design Studio was essential. Their expertise in translating abstract natural phenomena into programmable lighting effects was crucial in achieving the immersive quality we envisioned. We also worked closely with sound engineers, media artists, and fabricators who helped bring the technical and artistic aspects together. The project was a true interdisciplinary effort, where every collaborator played a role in shaping the final experience.

Looking ahead, how do you envision the evolution of nightlife venue design? What trends or innovations do you anticipate shaping the future of such spaces?

We believe nightlife venues will continue evolving toward multi-sensory and narrative-driven environments. People are looking for emotional and immersive experiences, not just entertainment. We anticipate a stronger fusion of architecture, performance, digital art, and interactivity — spaces will become more fluid and responsive. Technologies like real-time generative visuals, AI-driven soundscapes, and interactive surfaces will play a bigger role. At the same time, there will be growing attention to sustainability and inclusivity — creating spaces that are not only innovative but also responsible and accessible.

View the winning project of Fedor Goreglyad & Kamila Gilmutdinova here.