About

The Ice Bar is located next to the iconic Queenstown Gondola. An elevated take on the classic ice Bar experience, offering premium cocktails, a striking Scandinavian-inspired lounge bar built from 25 tonnes of hand-carved, glass-like ice architecture. It is a perfect spot to do something unique in one of the most scenic cities in the world.

To establish a trustworthy and strong bond with the audience, the concept for the identity was rooted in the brand's values. We divided the core attributes of the business into four groups; First, Queenstown (Mountain / Locally proud), Second, Ice (Blue / Sharp), Third, Flag (as an iconic symbol / a landmark, A must-do, Spirit of adventure) and the last one, Lightning (symbol of something energetic, A memorable experience Exciting / Powerful). With the sum of these vital characteristics, we develop the brand identity. An essential aspect of the brand is its versatility; it can be rotated without losing legibility, gaining nearly 360° in its visualisation.

Another fundamental aspect was to achieve a "selfie-friendly place" to attract visitors' attention. The idea was to create engaging installations to have an experience filled with emotions. On the one hand, we worked on one of the interior walls as if it were a sculpture made through the repetition of the pictorial mark. And later, to create a memorable experience, we decide to work with the resource of contradiction. We generate the feeling of "heat" in the foyer, so the audience will feel the impact and surprise of entering the freezing space of the ice bar due to the contradictory experiences. 

The result is a brand with a cohesive narrative and unforgettable identity.

www.queenstownicebar.com

Credits
Photography: @paulrayner_video

Publications
APD 19. Sandu Publishing, China

Words by James Ace—Managing Director, Future Hospitality Group
“Meeting with Luis and Bren to discuss the vision for our new businesses really helps solidify what we are setting out to achieve. Their experience and passion in the design world doesn’t just stop at the brand creation. Luis and Bren help inspire the overall aesthetic for our fit outs, which includes features that haven’t yet been dreamed up. With the MAKEBARDO inspiration and recommendations, we create award-winning brands and businesses. We look forward to continuing our business exploration and journey with Luis and Bren as our design partners.”