{"id":373893,"date":"2026-04-04T01:15:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T01:15:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/373893\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T01:15:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T01:15:32","slug":"dragon-i-renovation-captures-romantic-side-of-hong-kong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/373893\/","title":{"rendered":"Dragon-i renovation captures “romantic side of Hong Kong”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Koko<\/a> interior designer Pirajean Lees<\/a> looked to the sultry, saturated colours of director Wong Kar Wai’s films when renovating Hong Kong’s Dragon-i nightclub<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Founded in 2002 by Gilbert Yeung, Dragon-i<\/a> is one of Hong Kong’s most famous nightlife venues.<\/p>\n

\"Dragon-iDragon-i is one of Hong Kong’s most famous nightclubs<\/p>\n

London studio Pirajean Lees<\/a> worked closely with Yeung to transform the venue’s interior, which included the addition of a members’ club<\/a>, fitting out the spaces with bespoke furniture designed by the studio and crafted by Chinese artisans.<\/p>\n

“Our goal from the beginning was to re-spark the sexiness and excitement, the ruggedness and roughness of the 1990s and early noughties,” said studio co-founder James Lees. “For us, this was the idea of the rebirth of the romantic side of Hong Kong.”<\/p>\n

\"Timber-cladPirajean Lees renovated the venue with bespoke details<\/p>\n

When visualising the interior, Lees and co-founder Cl\u00e9mence Pirajean were informed by the vivid cinematography of movies by Hong Kong filmmaker Wong<\/a>, whose credits include the 2000 colour-drenched romance-drama In the Mood for Love<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The duo reconfigured the nightclub layout, which is anchored by a central marble-topped bar bejewelled with a pair of glittering glass-brick<\/a> drinks cabinets.<\/p>\n

\"Floor-to-ceilingThe nightclub’s bathrooms feature purposefully disorienting floor-to-ceiling mirrors<\/p>\n

Swirly timber panels frame the DJ booth, providing a textured backdrop for the sound system’s handcrafted speakers, while banquettes were finished in silver leather.<\/p>\n

Meticulous architectural framing features throughout the low-lit interior design, in a move the designers described as mimicking individual snapshotted “memories of amazing evenings”.<\/p>\n

“Everything was very cinematic,” Pirajean told Dezeen. “We wanted to guide people’s experiences.”<\/p>\n

\"Textile-cladDecadent materials were selected for their intense sensory appeal<\/p>\n

The bathrooms are characterised by more framing, clad with purposefully disorienting floor-to-ceiling mirrored<\/a> panels. Large cubicles were finished entirely in stainless steel<\/a> and illuminated by singular pink lights.<\/p>\n

“We’re still working on putting a DJ in that toilet,” joked Lees.<\/p>\n

\"ListeningThe adjacent members’ club includes a listening bar<\/p>\n

Decadent materials were selected for their intense sensory appeal, which the designers saw as fitting for a venue centred around music, including a selection of striking Chinese marbles that the duo had not worked with before.<\/p>\n

“Some of them are pink, some of them are acid green, some of them have these amazing chunks like eggs,” Pirajean said.<\/p>\n

\"DecadentLow lighting characterises the project throughout<\/p>\n

The members’ club sits adjacent to the nightclub on the site of a former restaurant and was designed to balance the nightclub’s sense of theatrics with intimate, homely touches.<\/p>\n

This space includes a listening bar<\/a> where guests can enjoy a wide selection of Yeung’s personal records, which are stored in oversized shelving constructed behind the perforated DJ booth.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Peckham<\/p>\n

Peckham Palais nightclub reopens with “layered and atmospheric” interior\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

A central “library” was placed in the middle of the bar, defined by built-in, back-to-back sofas upholstered in plush velvet. Green-hued banquettes snake around the corners of the room, amplifying the textile-clad walls that soften the acoustics.<\/p>\n

A games room is located next to the listening bar and was created to be as immersive as the rest of the venue, while outdoor terraces provide moments of respite.<\/p>\n

\"Green-huedGreen-hued banquettes snake around the corners of the listening bar<\/p>\n

Dragon-i is typical of the Dezeen Awards-nominated<\/a> studio’s “hyper-detailed”, narrative-led approach.<\/p>\n

“The spirit of the project was freedom, fun, something that is not taking itself too seriously,” Pirajean said.<\/p>\n

“It’s a club where so many interesting, quirky creatives go,” she added. “We didn’t restrict ourselves in terms of, where does this wild character stop?”<\/p>\n

\"PirajeanPirajean Lees is known for its “hyper-detailed” approach<\/p>\n

“It’s a bit of a mishmash,” added Lees. “Just the bonkersness and craziness of Hong Kong city.”<\/p>\n

Known for their interior design of the members’ space at north London nightclub Koko<\/a>, Pirajean Lees has also worked on restaurants in the city, including central sushi spot Kioku<\/a> and 20 Berkeley<\/a> in Mayfair.<\/p>\n

The photography is by Edmon Leong<\/a>.<\/p>\n