Gilded in gold: Lava Lounge by Studios PMB in Punjab is a jewel-toned enclave

Gold, that incandescent hue of opulence and mystique, conjures visions of gilded eras and storied grandeur. Its warmth is both ageless and mesmerising, a gleam that whispers of elegance and exclusivity. In Lava Lounge, crafted by Studios PMB in Punjab, this radiant colour isn’t merely ornamental—it saturates the space, imparting a sense of sumptuous finesse.

From the first step, gold unveils itself in layered subtleties. The entrance—a gold fabric-sandwich door bordered in polished metal—extends a resplendent invitation, hinting at the lavish nuances within.

Conversation and comfort in every curve

Walking further into this jewel-toned enclave, one encounters an intriguing arrangement of amoebic sofas, plush and undulating like abstract clouds. They’re scattered thoughtfully, a deliberate placement that transforms seating into an invitation for conversation. Anchoring these clusters are high-gloss marble tables, perched atop antique brass legs—luxurious yet unpretentious, each one a center point awaiting engagement.

Lighting, the often-unsung hero of ambiance, is an artful collaborator here. The subtle glow of LED and pinhole lights draws attention to each table, creating a series of illuminated islands within the space. And then there are the walls—a veritable canvas where black-dyed wood panels swirl with intricate gold leaf detailing, conjuring visions of golden waves caught mid-motion. A shimmering gold chain mail curtain sections off intimate corners, introducing both texture and mystery, offering a private alcove without detaching from the lounge’s atmospheric pulse.

A vision translated

The lounge embodies the client’s vision of refined elegance—a setting where social connection and personal comfort intersect. Architect Praneet Bubber took this brief to heart, crafting a design that harmonises bold contrasts and understated grace. The open-plan layout fosters a fluidity where people can gather without compromising on private moments, while the black and gold accents lend the space a quiet allure.

In a setting constrained by a low ceiling, Bubber embraced the challenge with ingenuity, using a layered ceiling design to add depth and dimension. The reflective black PVD surface works in tandem with wave-patterned POP sections to create height, balancing functionality with visual interest. Here, strategic lighting plays a defining role, casting a warm, enveloping glow that heightens the room’s opulent character without encroaching upon the senses.

Material alchemy

The walls and ceiling are dressed in striking materials—black-dyed wood, gilded with hand-applied gold leaf, infusing a richness that feels at once storied and modern. The ceiling, with its black PVD metal finish, meets a wave-formed POP section that conceals air-conditioning units, combining aesthetic beauty with practicality. Each marble table stands as a polished anchor to the plush, amoebic sofas, with brass legs adding a whisper of antiquity to the contemporary setting.

Flooring takes a minimalist approach with laminated wood—durable and uncomplicated, allowing the more expressive elements to shine. The gold chain mail curtain, edgy yet refined, delineates space while reinforcing the lounge’s luxurious aura. Meanwhile, a carefully devised lighting system amplifies these material choices, directing the eye to the metallic accents and soft upholstery without overpowering the room’s understated luxury.

All in black and gold

The colour scheme at Lava Lounge—a daring interplay of black and gold—is as sophisticated as it is audacious. Black serves as the stage, creating depth and grounding the lounge, while gold emerges as the star, casting a warm glow across surfaces. This contrast of hues is magnified through tactile materials, from black-stained wood and gilded gold leaf to brushed metals, each element layered to enrich the ambiance.

Neutral-toned upholstery tempers the bold palette, and lighting becomes an essential player, lending a dynamic quality as it reflects off the golden surfaces. Each material and hue is thoughtfully placed, building a narrative of understated grandeur that envelops guests in warmth and sophistication.

The ceiling—an unexpected highlight—posed the greatest design challenge, given its modest height of just under ten feet. But in this limitation lay opportunity. The solution was a dynamic ceiling treatment: the black PVD metal interwoven with wave-patterned POP, creating an illusion of height and sophistication. The design not only elevates the visual dimension but conceals functional elements seamlessly, a feature that turned the ceiling into a defining piece of the lounge’s identity.

Lava Lounge serves as a reflection of the firm’s design ethos, transforming spatial constraints into opportunities for bold, thoughtful design. Each detail, from the golden wave on the walls to the strategic lighting, tells a story of elegance and fluidity, where function and beauty entwine seamlessly. The lounge is more than a physical space; it’s a crafted narrative that invites guests to experience its artistry firsthand.

Artistry in gold leaf and chain mail

Lava Lounge’s signature feature is undoubtedly the artistic gold leaf wave sweeping across the walls, crafted in collaboration with artist Sunil Kapoor. This shimmering gold motif adds a sense of movement and luxury, capturing light in a way that is both dynamic and enchanting. The addition of a gold chain mail curtain introduces an industrial edge, creating a juxtaposition with the opulent decor that brings a layer of sophistication to the lounge’s edgy aesthetic.

Navigating constraints

Designing Lava Lounge within a narrow, L-shaped footprint demanded precision and ingenuity. The low ceiling and compact layout became a canvas for creative solutions, from reflective ceiling treatments to modular seating that encouraged both interaction and privacy. The balance of materials, lighting, and furniture arrangements transformed these limitations into a carefully curated experience—a testament to the power of design that doesn’t merely meet expectations but transforms them.

FACT FILE

Name of the project: Lava Lounge

Firm Name: Studios PMB

Design Team and Designation: Praneet Bubber & Team

Location of the project: Amritsar, Punjab

Area: 665 sq ft

Photo courtesy: Aaftaab Sandhu