Nonprofit galas compete for attention and donor dollars. Your guests have attended a dozen fundraisers in hotel ballrooms with the same centerpieces and the same chicken dinner. Ambient Plus Studio gives your gala something different: 10,000 square feet of hardwood floors in a 1910 cotton factory with exposed brick walls, 15-foot ceilings, and large factory windows. The industrial character creates visual impact without elaborate decor budgets. Here's how to use our iconic features to make your nonprofit gala stand out.
To make your nonprofit gala stand out, use Ambient Plus Studio's iconic features like exposed brick walls, expansive hardwood floors, and 15-foot ceilings to create a unique atmosphere. The 28-foot cyc wall offers a versatile space for projections, while the open vendor policy helps maximize your event budget. These elements make your event memorable and impactful.
Using Ambient Plus Studio's Iconic Features to Elevate Your Gala
Generic hotel ballrooms blend in donors minds. Our iconic industrial features create galas people remember and talk about after the event.
Exposed Brick Walls from a 1910 Cotton Factory
The exposed brick walls in Stage 1 are original from when this building operated as a cotton factory from 1910 to 1994. Jason Ivany restored the space in 2007, keeping the industrial architecture. The brick runs the length of the 10,000-square-foot space, providing texture and visual interest that photographs exceptionally well for gala marketing and social media.
The brick eliminates the need for expensive pipe and drape, backdrop rentals, or wall coverings. Your decor budget goes to auction displays, branded signage, or interactive donor experiences instead of covering up walls. The brick provides authentic Atlanta industrial character that aligns with missions focused on urban development, historic preservation, arts and culture, or community transformation.
10,000 Square Feet of Continuous Hardwood Floors
Stage 1's hardwood floors span 10,000 square feet without interruption. No carpet sections, no mismatched flooring, no transitions between spaces. The continuous hardwood creates a cohesive look, whether you're setting up round tables for dinner or clearing space for dancing.
The hardwood floors photograph beautifully and require minimal treatment. Easy cleanup after catered events and straightforward setup for furniture configurations. Nonprofits mention that the hardwood elevates the perceived value of the gala without adding to the budget.
15-Foot Ceilings That Create Dramatic Presence
The 15-foot ceilings in Stage 1 change how your gala feels. The 15 foot ceilings create a dramatic presence and allow for vertical decor. Ask our team about display options, and a sense of openness that hotel ballrooms with 8 or 9-foot ceilings can't replicate.
Nonprofits hosting awards ceremonies use the ceiling height to create stages and presentation areas that feel important. The 28-foot cyc wall stretches toward the ceiling, providing a large projection surface for mission videos, impact stories, donor recognition, or live auction displays.
How the Open Vendor Policy Makes Your Gala Budget Work Harder
Stage 1 includes a kitchen with refrigerators, ovens, and microwaves. We have an open vendor policy, so you can bring any insured caterer. You're not locked into hotel minimums or per-plate pricing that doesn't fit your fundraising model. You can bring your own alcohol as long as it's given away, not sold. A licensed caterer can run a bar.
Configuring Iconic Features for Different Gala Formats
Silent and Live Auction Galas: Use exposed brick walls for silent auction display tables. Set up dinner tables on hardwood floors in the center. Create a stage area near the 28-foot cyc wall for the auctioneer. Project live auction items so all 299 guests can see clearly.
Donor Recognition Events: Project donor names on the 28-foot cyc wall during cocktail hour and dinner. Use factory windows and string lights for evening lighting. Set up VIP tables near the stage area. The exposed brick and hardwood create a sophisticated atmosphere.
Mission-Driven Galas: Show program videos, client testimonials, or impact visuals on the cyc wall during dinner. The industrial character of exposed brick and hardwood reinforces themes of transformation and community building.
Conclusion
Your nonprofit gala stands out at Ambient Plus Studio because our iconic features do the design work: exposed brick walls from a 1910 cotton factory provide authentic character, 10,000 square feet of hardwood floors create cohesive elegance, 15-foot ceilings add dramatic presence, west-facing factory windows bring natural light, and the 28-foot cyc wall serves as your mission storytelling canvas. The open vendor policy controls costs. Whether you're hosting 200 donors for a silent auction or running a fund-a-need campaign, you're building your gala in a space where the iconic features make your event memorable.
Ready to use Ambient Plus Studio's iconic features for your nonprofit gala? Contact us to schedule a walkthrough of Stage 1 and see how the exposed brick, hardwood floors, factory windows, 15-foot ceilings, and cyc wall work for your fundraising event.
FAQs
Which iconic features make the biggest impact for nonprofit galas?
Exposed brick walls from 1910 provide visual interest without decor costs. The 28-foot cyc wall becomes your mission storytelling canvas. 15-foot ceilings create a dramatic presence. 10,000 square feet of hardwood floors unify the space.
How does the cyc wall work for mission videos and auctions?
The 28 foot cyc wall in Stage 1 can be used as a projection surface for mission videos, donor recognition, and auctions. Display sponsor logos during cocktails, mission videos during dinner, and live auction items during fundraising. The white surface provides a clean projection without screen rentals.
What's the capacity for galas?
Stage 1 holds up to 299 guests across 10,000 square feet, dinner tables, auction displays, and stage areas simultaneously, using the exposed brick, hardwood, and cyc wall.















