Z MARUYAMA

Z MARUYAMA represents the next evolution of their vision.

With a capacity of approximately 200 people, the project does not aim to compete through scale. Instead, its core concept is clear: to create a fully immersive environment where music is not only heard, but physically experienced.

Unlike typical DJ bars or listening spaces, Z MARUYAMA is designed to encourage movement—a space where guests are naturally drawn into the energy of the music and compelled to dance.To achieve this, sound and lighting are conceived as a unified system, working together to define the experience of the room.

The main system consists of Adamson S10 loudspeakers (3 per corner, flown) and E219 subwoofers (1 per corner, stacked), configured in a four-corner layout and powered by Lab.gruppen PLM 20K44 amplifiers.

The system is complemented by a YAMAHA DM7C mixing console, enabling flexible operation for both DJ sets and live performances. Additionally, Adamson wedge monitors are deployed in the DJ booth, ensuring a consistent sonic experience from the dancefloor to the performance position.

A key technical challenge of this approach is inter-system interference. To address this, precise delay control was implemented to optimize interaction between sources, with interference zones intentionally shifted toward areas with minimal audience presence based on circulation flow.

As a result, the primary audience zones maintain both high-impact sound pressure and clarity, achieving a balanced and immersive listening environment.

Rather than focusing solely on equipment specification, the project was approached as a spatial and experiential design, integrating acoustics with audience movement and energy flow.

Z MARUYAMA deserves to win because it challenges the fundamental assumptions of what a nightclub can be—and executes that vision with exceptional precision.

Located in Shibuya, one of the most competitive nightlife districts in the world, the venue deliberately rejects scale as the defining factor of impact. With a 200-capacity room, Z MARUYAMA instead focuses on delivering a fully immersive experience—one where every guest feels directly connected to the music. This approach transforms intimacy into an advantage, creating a space that is both personal and powerful.

What truly distinguishes the project is its holistic design philosophy. Sound, lighting, and audience movement are treated as a unified system, shaping how guests interact with the environment. Rather than functioning as a passive listening space, the venue actively encourages movement, drawing people into the energy of the room and onto the dancefloor. The result is an experience where music is not only heard, but physically felt.

From a technical perspective, the system demonstrates a high level of innovation and control. Built around Adamson Systems Engineering S10 loudspeakers and E219 subwoofers in a four-corner configuration, the design prioritizes consistency and envelopment over sheer output. Careful delay tuning and strategic placement minimize inter-system interference, ensuring that key audience areas maintain both clarity and impact. This creates a balanced sound field that remains consistent regardless of where guests stand or how they move within the space.

The project’s intent is equally significant. Developed by the team behind WOMB and executed by ReWire, the focus was not simply on equipment, but on experience. Every element was considered in relation to how people engage with music in a live setting.

Z MARUYAMA proves that innovation in nightlife is not about being bigger—it’s about being more intentional. It sets a new benchmark for immersive club design, making it a truly deserving award winner.