Damien Hirst’s Pharmacy transformed into an immersive social-club environment through a sculptural bar, medical cabinet, DNA installation and complete venue treatment.

Prada Mode returned for its eighth edition as a travelling social club combining contemporary art, music, dining and conversation. Hosted at ICD Brookfield Place in Dubai, the two-day programme centred on a new edition of Damien Hirst’s Pharmacy.


Kennedy London appointed Evolution to realise the artist’s concept within the landmark venue.

The task was to transform the space into an immersive cultural environment where the artwork, hospitality and social experience operated as one connected experience rather than separate event components.


The space needed to operate as a bar, dining setting, discussion venue and cultural installation, with every surface and object contributing to the recognisable world of Pharmacy.

The Challenge


Damien Hirst’s concept relied on a highly controlled visual identity. Medical references, bold surfaces, lighting, furniture and suspended artwork needed to be integrated with precision so the environment felt intentionally designed rather than a collection of individual production elements.


The installation also had to be delivered within an existing premium venue featuring eight-metre columns and complex overhead conditions. Safe rigging, accurate scanning and close coordination with lighting designers and project supervisors were essential to protect the artwork, maintain the architectural integrity of the space and achieve the intended creative vision.

VIP hospitality bar serving custom signature cocktails during private art club launch

The Solution


Evolution carried out a comprehensive ceiling scan to support the safe and precise rigging of artwork and artificial track lighting, working with FARO Studio and under the supervision of VCA Projects, the approach provided the technical confidence required to integrate suspended elements within the existing venue structure.


A custom central bar became the focal point of the social environment, supported by bespoke comfort furniture designed to encourage dining, conversation and evening interaction. The layout allowed the space to transition naturally between hospitality, cultural engagement and entertainment.


The visual identity of Pharmacy was extended throughout the venue through a life-sized medical display cabinet, transparent printed vinyl applied to the glazing and wallpaper wrapping across the eight-metre circular columns. These interventions transformed the existing architecture into an active part of the installation rather than a backdrop.


A miniature DNA molecule fabricated in Styrofoam created a suspended centrepiece above the guest environment, reinforcing the medical and scientific references that defined Pharmacy while adding a distinctive visual feature to the space.

Delivery Highlights


  • Two-day Prada Mode cultural and hospitality programme at ICD Brookfield Place.
  • Comprehensive ceiling scan supporting artwork and track-light rigging.
  • Custom-built central bar and bespoke comfort furniture.
  • Life-sized medical display cabinet interpreting the Pharmacy concept.
  • Printed transparent vinyl and specialist wallpaper across the venue architecture.
  • Suspended miniature DNA molecule installation.
  • Coordination with Kennedy London, FARO Studio and VCA Projects.
Custom cocktail bar with mirrored frontage and backlit spirits display shelving

Outcome


The venue was transformed into a fully realised edition of Pharmacy, where the bar, furniture, medical references and suspended installation worked together as part of one cohesive environment. Guests experienced Prada Mode as a cultural and social setting rather than a traditional event space with artwork added around it.


The success of the environment came from the integration of creative intent and production detail. Detailed scenic craftsmanship allowed a complex artistic concept to function naturally across dining, discussion and evening programming while preserving the distinctive visual identity of the installation.

Project Ecosystem


Client:

Kennedy London


Evolution Events: Supported programme coordination, venue integration and delivery alignment with Kennedy London and the wider Prada Mode schedule.


Evolution Scenic: Led the scenic realisation, ceiling survey, central bar, medical cabinet, column treatments, window graphics and DNA installation.


Evolution Furniture: Delivered the confirmed bespoke comfort-furniture package supporting dining and conversation.


Evolution Technical: Supported the confirmed artwork-rigging and artificial track-lighting integration within the venue environment.