| SceneMakers was engaged by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, to produce a 12,000 sq. ft. VIP hospitality suite for the 2002 Winter Olympics. The suite was to be used for a base of operations for entertainment of a range of VIP guests from around the world. SceneMakers produced: site planning, structural décor, decoratives, furnishings, lighting design, signage, florals, linens, and display for the suite. The project was a year in the planning and production stages. |
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| The client’s request was “totally transform the hotel ballroom into a mountain lodge feel." SceneMakers was successful in designing and producing what later became known in the Olympic community as “the best suite in the city." |
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| The suite incorporated four raised platform areas which had tall tapered stone columns, supporting actual log beam work overhead. Dining areas and lounge areas on the raised platforms were placed around what appeared to be working, stone fireplaces. In the center of the suite, was located an enormous pergola of stone columns and logwork, with a large block ‘O’ bar with bar stools, and a snowy display, sporting two old west cowpolks on a snowy plain. Islands of pine trees, aspen trees, rocks and snow were located throughout the room, including as a backdrop for two enormous food buffets. Rustic steel carts were used to produce two portable espresso stations in the room. |
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| All furniture in the space was made of hickory saplings, and was upholstered in earthen shades of browns, ochres, and deep greens, punctuated with upholstery of native American blanket patterns in reds and browns. Tabletops were made of honey colored oak and red sandstone. |
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| Lighting in the space was a critical element in controlling the mood at various times of the day. It was desirable to have three distinct moods in the room, since guests typically used the room 20 hrs. per day. Over the course of a week it is easy for guests to be bored with a hospitality space, if there is not some change in feel and menu. Lighting moods ranged from ‘morning sunrise’ bright, to moody patterns of filtered light through forest branches, to a cobalt, icy-blue, evening look. All of this was done with theatrical lighting and the flicker of stage fireplaces. Lanterns with candles were used on tables in the evening hours. |
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| The space had a warm, hospitable feel. It was a welcoming basecamp for guests, who were ferried each day, over 90 miles to windy, snowy mountaintops, at Olympic venues. |
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| SceneMakers was successful in transforming a fairly traditional, standard ballroom into a wintery mountain retreat for Coca-Cola’s guests from around the world. SceneMakers design proposal was recognized immediately as a ‘winner’ for the client. Quoting Liz Warwick, Coca-Cola’s Director of Global Hospitality, “ I never hire a firm on a first meeting, but SceneMakers was an exception, because of the design and concept that [they] came up with!” |
