W Retreat & Spa | Maldives | Fifteen Below
Fifteen below, is as it's name suggests, is a subterranean space. In fact, the Maldives very first underground club. The principle behind this concept, is that offering a dance space with international dj's could prove to be disturbing to some guests, so by placing the club underground, noise is contained.
Entering Fifteen Below is via a paisley shaped corridor that captures the base-noise created from the sound system. The room was given an unusual shape so that upon first glance it is nearly impossible to see the boundary walls of the room. An alcove with wine display is near the entry and beds are placed in niches along the far wall - viewed from over the oval shaped central bar counter. The floor drops further and a dance area with a dj station is at the far end of the space. Columns were added and connected to ceiling beams criss-crossing in abstracted "w" shapes, resembling some sort of tribal tattoo. Buff Palimanan stone, sheer draperies and an ice-resin bar top keep the space light, fresh and ethereal.
Wine racks and vodka displays are not left to a city-club expression. With guests lazing about in hammocks, why not the bottles too? Hundreds of bottles are each individually hanging from canvas slings, some lit internally with colorful LED lights, and backed by panels of ice-resin.
The ice-resin product was custom fabricated for W in Manila. Extensive experimentation resulted in a method of layering liquid resin over clear crumpled cellophane. When set, the product resembles melting ice, but without the mess.
In order to keep this space from literally popping out of the beach during tide fluctuations, more than 1 meter of solid concrete was poured for the floor. FIRE, the bbq restaurant was placed on top of this construction to further weigh the building down.
Seating is a combination of Cobonpue and custom by Poole Associates.