DOTY 2026 Best Commercial Design (Hospitality – Gold): U Studio Sdn Bhd – Carousel Bar

This carnival-inspired bar at Avenue K in Kuala Lumpur designed by U Studio Sdn Bhd was first featured in Commercial Concept Volume 14.

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This playful yet polished social sanctuary balances social vibrancy with secluded intimacy, redefining the pace of the city’s after-hours scene.

A refined reinterpretation of urban nightlife, Carousel Bar is where whimsy is tempered with a sophisticated touch, and social energy is elevated through design rooted in playful sociability and immersive engagement. The Restaurant & Bar at Carousel & Co. transforms a prime urban footprint within Avenue K into a premier dining and social destination. It is crafted into a suave social sanctuary, whereby the “Play, Drink, Eat” philosophy adopted is taken to the next level through high-end architectural storytelling inspired by the golden age of fairgrounds and boardwalks. In doing so, their kinetic energy is harvested into an adult-oriented space that is both dynamic and socially charged.

The interior unfolds as a sequence of carefully zoned experiences, each attuned to the diverse rhythms of the city’s elite. The journey begins within a vibrant open-plan dining area, envisioned and executed as a grand stage for group gatherings and lively exchanges to transpire organically. The rapid pulse of the adjacent games area subtly permeates the atmosphere, energising it even from a distance but without disrupting it. Laughter, movement and anticipation flow through the space, yet remain artfully contained through strategic planning that preserves comfort and elegance.

This thoughtful spatial programming allows guests to transition seamlessly between moments of spirited competition and refined relaxation. A friendly match gives way to a crafted cocktail session that becomes a prelude to interesting conversation. Those seeking a quieter cadence can head over to the many plush and secluded corners nestled within the layout, offering intimate pockets of retreat. Furthermore, the private VIP Lounge is another discreet and enveloping option made available, offering a sense of rendezvous shielded from the city’s constant humming.

Departing from the traditional carnival aesthetics, which may have been perceived as too predictable, the designers replaced grandiose spectacle with suave sophistication when it came to shaping Carousel Bar’s identity through material selection. Industrial-chic metal frameworks and exposed cabinetry establish a confident foundational backbone, while jewel-toned velvets introduce warmth and tactile richness. These disciplined melange of elements coexist in balance, expressing a modern elegance that feels both urban and indulgent.

Not afraid to play with colour, deep teals and vibrant purples with a tinge of salmon pinks wash across the space, creating a palette that feels immersive and seductive. The atmosphere itself is anchored by a nocturnal glow that’s largely attributed to custom typographic neon art as well as hanging lights in the shape of baubles and hot air balloons; these light installations punctuate the Carousel Bar, functioning as luminous sculptures rather than mere decoration. These glowing statements animate the space, casting dramatic highlights over handcrafted cocktails and signature platters in a way that reinforces the bar’s identity as a place of wild energy, bold expression and after-dark seduction.

A crowning feature of the design is undoubtedly the Rooftop Deck, a striking outdoor extension that forges a direct dialogue with the city skyline. By employing a transparent glass façade and retractable architectural elements, the boundary between interior lounge and urban panorama disappears. In more specific words, the iconic silhouette and landmark energy of the Petronas Twin Towers become an active participant in the guest experience instead of being a passive building in the background.

Overall, the Carousel Bar prides itself as an experiential venue that fuses nostalgic carnival energy with contemporary hospitality design, creating a place that feels familiar and delightfully unexpected. Every element is engineered for pleasant connections, energetic movement and urban discovery, offering a seamless mix of social vibrancy and refined escape. It is a space that understands the city’s pulse well and responds to it with confidence, charm and sophistication.

About the Designer of the Year Awards and Best Commercial Design

The Designer of the Year Award (DOTY) aspires to discover and honour the exceptional works of talented designers from Malaysia and beyond. It sets the benchmark of excellence in design and is committed to championing them in architecture and interior.

The theme of DOTY 2026, “Celebrating Design Intelligence”, highlights how design has evolved beyond mere aesthetics to encompass functionality and sustainability, where user experience, environmentally-friendly materials and technology integration are essential to well-being and efficiency.

Best Commercial Design recognises designers who have crafted phenomenal commercial spaces with brand identity, productivity and well-being in mind. Their projects, which come under various categories, are featured in Commercial Concept.

Visit doty.com.my for more information.