We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Mario J Lotti about their original and creative Live music bar design work. Mario J Lotti is an award-winning architectural designer, that makes our world a better place with their original live music bar works.
Mario J Lotti ("MJL") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Lido Cafe Live music bar. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
MJL : The definition of the name of the establishment: Lido. A Lido is a resort or area near the sea or a pool, music, Vietnam Gentlemen's clubs
MJL : To create a playful lively atmosphere and backdrop for the activities that take place at this bar. To create an environment like no other place that would take this bar out of direct competition with other similar places. Because of it's thoroughly unique and dynamic atmosphere.
MJL : To complete the design development and construction documents in time for construction next year. There are also other refinements that will be required through the process such as physically sculpting maquettes of the column covers on the first and second floors to refine the design in 3D.
MJL : The design took 6 months to complete. The construction documents are ongoing.
MJL : The design was commissioned by the owner of the bar.
MJL : The owner of the bar will construct and use the design.
MJL : The name of the bar, Lido, the atmosphere the owner wants to create, the activities in the bar presently and planned for the new bar design all were inspiration.
MJL : No, but there are other designs that some of the features are based on. The light Organ behind the stage on the first floor is based on a light organ appliance that a company called Radio shack sold in the 1970's. It was a box with Colored lights inside and the box would respond to music. The illuminated bar on the ground floor is based on a similar concept.
MJL : Vietnamese locals, Viet Q visiting or living in Vietnam, Expats, Visitors to Vietnam - all of whom may or do come to this bar.
MJL : The theme, the very unique lighting applied to the ground floor, the materials and application of lighting to create a dynamic environment that plays off of the movements and sounds of the participants. The resulting environment is more casual, personal and playful, and not as formal or hard as most competitors and other designs.
MJL : The owner has the name of the establishment. After discussing the meaning of the name with the owner, the design direction was set.
MJL : The First Floor Bar - disks of mottled and textured glass disks layered like fish scales, back lit with DMX controlled LED lights. The color and intensity of the lights can be controlled and will be able to respond to the music.
MJL : The effects lighting plays a key role in completing the ambiance. The DMX controlled LED lights are used on the first floor along with water effects lighting. The second floor has a star light effect ceiling.
MJL : I examined the bars, bar culture and bar designs in HCMC to understand the general trends in design, the way the bars operate, what is important in the bars culturally by planning or function, and the owners needs. I wanted to take the bar design out of the realm of direct completion with other bars' designs and create some place that was different, but still comfortable and with a certain degree of familiarity. Plants, the beach and nature are highly desirable here. The design references this also.
MJL : Considering the best location and shape for the bar. The final design, the bar and back bar are in the area where the view to the stage is blocked by the column in the middle of the bar rooms. But numerous layouts were created and reviewed before agreeing on this plan. The design uses primarily Vietnamese sourced products. Sourcing available materials to creatively use in the design was a challenge. Some of the materials are part of the culture here such as the silk lanterns, the cement fish scale wall treatment, and the encaustic tile used on the second floor.
