- Project: The Alchemist
- Architect: DLSM Studio
- Location: United Kingdom, London
- Year: 2024
- Area: 425 m2
- Photography: DesignLSM
A Celestial Cocktail Venue in the Heart of London
Located in London’s Victoria district, The Alchemist by DesignLSM transforms hospitality into a multisensory experience that bridges design, science, and storytelling. Conceived as a theatrical journey through the cosmos, the project celebrates cosmic alchemy—a concept that fuses celestial mystery with Victorian-era discovery and the art of mixology.
The venue redefines immersive bar design through a combination of spatial illusion, dynamic lighting, and material contrast, offering guests a setting where science and spectacle intertwine.
Concept & Design Narrative
Building upon the success of previous Alchemist venues in Manchester, Newcastle, and Oxford, DesignLSM evolved the brand’s identity into an elevated, cosmic narrative. The design takes inspiration from the Victorian era, an age defined by exploration and innovation—particularly the discovery of parallax, which allowed humanity to measure the vast depths of space.
This revelation of dimensional perspective became the foundation of the concept. Every architectural element—line, light, texture, and curve—echoes the language of perspective, illusion, and discovery.
Spatial Experience: Light, Motion & Discovery
Celestial Entrance
Guests begin their journey through a celestial tunnel, glowing with ethereal light. This immersive threshold symbolizes the passage between the familiar and the extraordinary, setting the stage for the experience within.
The Central Bar
At the heart of the interior lies a symmetrical illuminated bar, framed by radiant arches and reflective materials. The bar acts as the gravitational center of the space, glowing against a backdrop of moody tones, metallic highlights, and textural richness.
Light & Projection Art
Projection mapping onto mirrored and mesh walls animates the environment with celestial imagery, constantly shifting with light and movement. The visual effect mirrors the endless expanse of space, while curved alcoves, plush seating, and metallic finishes evoke an atmosphere of intimacy and glamour.
Material Palette & Detailing
The material composition embraces cosmic sophistication. Polished metals, dark marble, and iridescent glass surfaces layer seamlessly with ambient and accent lighting. Brass details and soft fabrics introduce warmth, while the geometry of the space—curves, arches, and symmetry—conveys balance between science and artistry.
Every finish and fixture has been meticulously designed to reinforce the brand’s ethos: the alchemy of experience.
Brand Continuity & Expansion
The Alchemist Victoria continues DesignLSM’s long-standing collaboration with the brand, translating its theatrical DNA into a new era of immersive design. The studio’s evolving “cosmic alchemy” aesthetic is set to guide three more upcoming London locations, each expressing individuality within a cohesive brand language.
Blending storytelling, science, and sensory design, The Alchemist Victoria exemplifies how interiors can transcend function to create transformative experiences. Through light, material, and atmosphere, DesignLSM has crafted a venue that feels timeless yet futuristic—a celestial stage where mixology becomes performance, and architecture becomes art.
