SITUATION

The design team at Whitlock Architects knew they wanted to raise the bar on what a bowling alley could be when they redesigned the Kings Bowl location in Rosemont, IL, and immediately aimed for a space patrons would want to both bowl and lounge in. Located in Rosemont’s entertainment district, also known as “The Park,” Kings Bowl is a popular destination known for its retro, old-school vibe. So when it came time to designing the new venue, the team created an elegant, sophisticated atmosphere that would be both contemporary and reflect the neighborhood’s 1950s vibe.

The design inspiration was to create a hangout for the “Rat Pack.” We imagined we were creating a lounge atmosphere for Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.

— Bill Whitlock, AIA, Owner of Whitlock Architects

OBJECTIVE

To create that classy lounge ambience, the architectural team moved forward with a design vision that called for deep, dark-grained woods with a reflective, polished sheen. That’s when the team found Lamin-Art’s Premium Wood Print design, Zanzibar Ebony, a rich wood print that allowed them the benefit of enjoying an exotic species of wood grain without the environmental or cost drawbacks. Because designs from the Premium Wood Prints collection feature the realistic nuances of wood, the team knew Zanzibar Ebony would reflect the true beauty of the rare wood it was inspired by.

The Lamin-Art product allowed us to reproduce our design concept economically and responsibly by not using the actual exotic woods.

— Bill Whitlock, AIA, Owner of Whitlock Architects

DESIGN

The design team at Whitlock Architects utilized Premium Wood Prints 3041 Zanzibar Ebony as a main focal point in the space, applying it in the bar area, bar fronts, feature walls, and other prominent applications. Most importantly, they ensured that the Kings Bowl in Rosemont is a truly unique venue, and definitely a place worthy of the coolest cats in town—one that’s even earned the nickname of the “Zanzibar Jungle.”

Our clients joke about the Zanzibar Jungle. They love the look and it has become part of their branding.

— Bill Whitlock, AIA, Owner of Whitlock Architects

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