Laroc: Brazilian nightclub attempting to redesign the clubbing experience

Built from wood and inspired by the local valleys, Laroc has quickly become one of the worlds best nightspots

Opened in 2015, Laroc has already gained a reputation for its immersive parties (Laroc)

In the UK our nightclubs follow a pretty similar formula: a dark space burrowed underground, giving little visual stimulus beyond lasers and flashing screens. We expect little more than a set of stairs leading into a crowded space — which is fantastic for those wanting to lose themselves within the music — but not for those wanting to observe impressive architecture.​

No nightclub architecture tends to be something we forget about easily, but in other areas of the world the experience is being reimagined.

In Brazil, for example clubbers are looking for a more interactive experience and Laroc, a 'sunset club' just outside of mega-metropolis Sao Paulo has quickly built esteem among both locals and visitors.

Laroc's wooden frame, inspired by the rolling hills of the Valinhos Valley, sets it apart from its European counterparts (Gui Urban) (©2017 Gui Urban)

The 6000m2 space opened in 2015, and was designed to marry together the glitz and glamour of Ibiza's open air clubs and the variation of festivals.

"The real idea was to bring the 'festival feeling' to a club" owner Mario Albuquerque tells us "but we wanted to keep the high levels of production, pay tribute to the beautiful environment that surrounds Laroc, the nature the fresh air."

Laroc sits in the Valinhos Valley, a lush green stretch of countryside around an hour from Sao Paulo. The club changes up its design every season - but maintains its concrete, wood and aluminium frame.

Laroc recently attracted European mega-party Elrow (Gui Urban)

"We tried to keep nature in mind with the design" say's Mario "We chose a lot of wood and chose to bring daylight into the venue. We have a big rock in the middle of the club which is where the name 'La Roc' comes from - we're trying to pay tribute to land."

The wooden ceiling of the main "stage" is a unique selling point, and a visual spectacle to any visitor who wants to see something a little different than the industrial structures we've grown used to across the Atlantic.

LED's are nestled into jigsaw-like wooden pieces, that distribute a warm glow onto dancers below. The effect gives the club an earthy glow once the sun goes down.

Upon visiting Laroc of course, it's a completely different experience to what we would expect - its nights run during the day and go on into the night. Festivities are getting underway accompanied by views of the rolling hills at dusk.

The sense of pride in the landscape is palpable, from Mario and his team to the crowd — who gladly snap pictures of not only the main structure - but also the sun setting onto the valley.

In the clubs first year of opening it achieved the "highest entry" ranking 45th in DJ Mag's Top 100 nightclubs (Gui Urban)

The main stage and its production isn't the only draw for Brazil's party goers, with Laroc boasting a pool, various terraces with brimming with bars and food trucks —ensuring the Laroc experience is far from one-dimensional.

In the clubs first year of opening it achieved the "highest entry" ranking 45th in DJ Mag's Top 100 nightclubs, in its second year it jumped to 29th. It currently stands as the third best club in Brazil.

The performances at the club are sold like a festival experience, with world renowned DJ's such as Loco Dice, Nic Fanciulli, Bakermat, Stephan Bodzin and Dennis Ferrer heeding Laroc's call.

European party organisers have even jumped in on the action, with Laroc recently hosting Elrow, seeing the main stage covered in paper rain, dancers and cutting edge pyrotechnics.

Revellers can be seen looking in awe at both the production, and the natural beauty of the clubs location (Gui Urban) (©2017 Gui Urban)

The club rests of a sloping hill, a former equestrian centre that Mario found abandoned in 2014, he points over to a higher spot on the hill "that over there will be the second Laroc" he mentions as he welcomes our group into the venue, alluding to a more underground-focused space that could join Laroc in the valley.

The ambition of Laroc is very clear, an ambitious attempt to rethink what a nightclub is and turn it on its head.

For more information on Laroc visit their website here