We love having the challenges of working on spaces like this! The Brandon Military Base called Shilo was our second Junior Ranks lounge that we redesigned for the Canadian military. The before photos show what the space had become over the years.

The renovated lounge and bar were to have a dance floor, raised stage for musicians, tables and seating on the lowered dance floor, a raised table and seating area using the existing floor level changes, and a “stand easy” (the military term for a stand-up bar). The social division of the space was determined based on the types of activities for the groups. We designed spaces for the Players Club, the God Father’s tables, the So You Think You Can Dance Club—people who just want to have fun!

The stage area was designed with acrylic panels to show off the coloured lights show used during performances. The height of the raised stage was also lit to inform the dancers of the change in height. We designed the ceiling of the dance floor with waves of metal panels to differentiate it from the rest of the interior along with dance lights and the reused disco balls. The effect came off as energetic, vital, and youthful, which was exactly what the client had requested.

For the social areas outside of the dance floor, we also changed the feeling of the space to accommodate different types of groups. Banquettes were used along the two exterior walls to anchor the space and add to the acoustical solution. Modular wall panels were specified above the banquettes with lighter colour tones broken up with a rich orange back on the seating.

For the God Father’s table area, we emphasized this front part of the room with a dark wood paneling in a weave pattern, which matched the stone finishes of the bar at the center.

In the patterned carpet tiles, we introduced curved inserts again to bring energy and dynamics into the space and introduce flow and movement.