The most memorable spaces don’t compete with the experience.
They quietly elevate it.
The Backyard Club’s rammed-earth tennis court is an architectural statement in its own right. When Amoako Boafo chose to host his first gathering there alongside Chef Binta’s celebrated Dine on a Mat experience, the opportunity wasn’t to transform the venue – it was to reveal it.
Inspired by the way light defines the ancient pyramids after sunset, ALOD used illumination to celebrate the architecture, allowing the warm texture of the rammed-earth walls to become an integral part of the evening’s atmosphere. Every decision was made in service of a single feeling: nostalgia.
Guests gathered on woven mats beneath the open sky, sharing Chef Binta’s West African menu in a setting that echoed traditions of communal dining rooted in simplicity, conversation, and connection. The experience felt contemporary, yet deeply familiar—a reflection of the themes that continue to define Amoako Boafo’s work.
Alongside the experience design, ALOD coordinated the production and operational delivery of the evening, ensuring every creative and logistical element worked together to support an experience that felt intimate, effortless, and quietly unforgettable.
Sometimes the most powerful design decision is knowing what not to change.
