The strategic vision was to transform a large, empty warehouse into a cohesive, inviting, and immersive environment capable of hosting a high-capacity crowd while still feeling intentional and meaningful.

Rather than stopping at single-point decoration, the installation strategy activated that worked together to guide movement and influence guest experience throughout the space:

• Dance Floor & DJ Presence: A visually structured DJ booth and stage decor optimized for strong sight lines and energy concentration.

• Overhead Installation: A suspended installation above the dance floor introduced color and layered visual depth into the volume of the warehouse.

• Retreat & Comfort Zone: A pitched and built igloo lounge — concepted, designed, and executed by me — created a comfortable, visually distinct area contrasting the high-energy main floor.

By intentionally activating these zones, the design maintained dance floor intensity while creating breathing points for social connection and visual exploration.

Concept development began with an exploratory phase that generated multiple visual directions tailored to the warehouse scale and the techno/LGBTQ audience present at the event. Early proposals included:

• Fabric drapery ceilings paired with dynamic lighting

• Stacked LED frame systems

• A stained-glass–inspired decorative scheme

• Variations on metallic tinsel and reflective materials

These concepts were presented with sketches and reference imagery to illustrate how each approach might interact with the space, lighting, and music culture of the event.

The client ultimately selected the stained-glass–inspired direction for the DJ booth and stage — chosen for its ability to introduce rich color and architectural presence into the industrial interior. Simultaneously, I pitched the igloo lounge concept — drawing on its proven success at previous events as a comfortable, immersive retreat — which the client embraced and expanded the budget to include.

The final creative direction combined immersive stage decor with a contrasting relaxation zone that worked in harmony to support both high-energy performance and guest comfort.

Timeline:

• 1 week prep

• 1 day install

Team & Vendors Managed:

• three installation assistants

• fabricator

• Transportation/logistics team

Fabrication Highlights:

• Custom DJ booth wrap

• Stained‑glass panels suspended above performance area

• Stained‑glass orbs framing the stage

  Lounge: a dedicated igloo enclosure that served as a focal lounge area

As project lead, I managed all aspects of production — from concept refinement and vendor coordination to on-the-ground installation execution — ensuring that each element aligned with the experiential strategy and timeline constraint

• Attendance: ~2,000 people

• Social Engagement: Multiple organic social media shares from collectives, DJs, and attendees

• Environmental Transformation: The installation successfully elevated the warehouse from a blank industrial venue to a dynamic and engaging nightlife experience.

• The igloo lounge extended guest dwell time and offered a unique contrast to the high‑energy main floor.

This project represented a significant scale increase in my work, pushing me to lead an out‑of‑state, multi‑vendor production on a compressed timeline. Key takeaways included heightened confidence in pitching expanded scope, strengthened project management under tight constraints, and clear insights into how additional prep windows could further amplify environmental richness in future builds.