In the vaulted basement of a listed historic building in Merano, NOA has transformed a former nightclub into La Perla, a 300 square metre venue that combines the character of its historic setting with a contemporary approach to nightlife.
The existing space presented a particular set of constraints. Massive natural stone walls and centuries-old masonry vaults had to remain untouched, while new mechanical and acoustic systems needed to be integrated without compromising the building’s character. Rather than hiding the infrastructure, NOA has left ventilation ducts and technical installations exposed, finished in dark tones to sit alongside the original masonry. As the studio explains: “The encounter between old and new had to remain an integral part of the story we wanted to tell.”
The concept centres on the figure of the Virgin Mary, which gives the club its name and provides the starting point for the interior. Visitors descend a dark staircase before arriving at the illuminated statue, enclosed within a glass shrine. Above it, a circular light reinterprets the traditional halo, introducing a motif that appears throughout the club in mirrors, furniture and lighting.
From here, the entrance opens onto the main dance floor, with the bar positioned to one side as both a meeting point and vantage point over the room. At the opposite end, an elevated DJ booth is marked by another large circular light, continuing the halo reference and establishing the visual focus of the space.
The club’s two VIP lounges develop the concept further. Inferno is defined by red light, dark surfaces, fog and a suspended cross, while Paradise sits above it with soft blue tones and cloud-like illuminated forms. The contrast is deliberate; heaven overlooking hell.
Neon lettering, fluorescent details and programmable lighting run through both spaces, with colour used to distinguish areas and alter their atmosphere throughout the night, light becoming part of the club’s navigation and identity.
La Perla ultimately makes its historic setting central to the experience, pairing preserved architecture with theatrical lighting, contemporary detailing and a playful take on the familiar imagery of heaven and hell.
Club La Perla Merano Photography © Alex Filz.