Sparkling Indulgence – The Shy Guy by Izzard Design

At this late-night members’ lounge in Auckland’s Victoria Park, the unassuming exterior covertness of a speakeasy is elevated on entry, as revellers indulge in a sparkling and deeply textured palette of colours and materials within an atmosphere that, despite the name, calls for lively interaction and a touch of extravagance.

Hidden behind Victoria Park Market’s original brick façade and indicated only by minimal, subtly placed signage, The Shy Guy provides an exclusive club atmosphere for those who want to avoid the bustle of the city’s bar life. In creating the interiors, Izzard Design used the external walls as a starting point, with Venetian glass bricks forming semi-separated zones within the space. These opaque walls allow light through with interesting, skewed effects and are complemented by a range of flooring and upholstery treatments. Chequerboard tiles alluding to Alice in Wonderland are peppered with opulent bamboo silk rugs, and banquette areas are encased to the ceiling with rich moss green velvet.

Arched openings and art deco-esque curves lend sophistication and curiosity to spaces, inviting exploration through the venue’s zones.

Arched openings and art deco-esque curves lend sophistication and curiosity to spaces, inviting exploration through the venue’s zones. This is added to by a combination of low lighting, golden-hued lamps and black strip lights, which combine to activate certain areas while providing a quieter vibration in others. These are designed to be easily controlled and altered for different occasions within the space.

The Shy Guy simultaneously exudes both privacy and extroversion, with spaces to let loose on the dance floor, to lean in and converse undisturbed and those that allow a little of both. The success of this duality is in the materials as well as the spatial planning, which provides for a range of moods and occasions.