SKY Lounge
location 360 Mall, Kuwait
photographs by Nelson Garrido
project year 2012
The main objective behind Skylounge is to integrate what was once a secluded segment of the mall, with the rest of the malls space aimed to regain the mall's natural traffic flow. This new extension consists of two ceiling levels; a clear skylight with a pergola structure suspended to it. The design adopted spatial qualities derived from the geometrical patterns produced in a natural desert landscape. The floating pergola, is a reflective metal structure with wooden planks embedded within its margins resembling (a moving form frozen in a moment). Its dynamic, geometric form improves traffic flow and guides mall goers to nearby areas of 360.

ARCHJS' wanted to maintain a feeling of an outdoor experience to the selected space and utilize its surrounding restaurants and implement new restaurant chains using the design of the Skylounge. As a result, vertical structured kiosks are situated on the sides and one in the middle of the space, to disperse the direction of the traffic and advance the dynamics of movement within the space. The kiosks are sheltered by the floating pergola which casts its shadows on to the space in the daytime complimenting the shape of the structures.

Walnut wood is contrasted with reflective black marble for the flooring. Walnut wood is placed on an elevated platform than the black marble to keep people alert and variate the seating experience. The black marble has also been selected to reflect the structure above.

Surrounding the constraints of the space is white glass bringing elements which creates the skylounge to a forefront. Boundaries are merged and each component has an impact on the other. Such physical qualities create a dense yet synchronized space.