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The
new Arcapita Headquarters building in Bahrain combines a dramatic location
with innovative sculptural forms, which results in a distinct sense
of place for business and arts uses. The project provides a significant
architectural presence that has an immediate impact and creates positive
and exciting associations for Arcapita Bank.
Working in conjunction with the project team, which included The Client,
Architects, Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM) and Atkins and Project
Managers Mace, dpa have produced lighting solutions,
in terms of aesthetic requirements and functions, in this prominent
and significant project.
Situated within the Bahrain Bay Development off the north coast of Manama,
Kingdom of Bahrain, the Mosque comprises a concrete shell that is clad
internally and externally with natural stone. One of the main goals
of SOM for AHQ Building and East Park Mosque was to provide a productive
work environment that balances day lighting and thermal comfort. Natural
light is provided within the Mosque glazing on the ground floor and
through feature windows that are cast into the faces of the structure.
In order to highlight this feature during nighttime, dpa
proposed concealed linear fixtures within the cladding slot feature.
This reinforces the iconic identity of the building whilst providing
a low energy, maintainable and practical solution.
Externally, a freestanding minaret was erected along side of the Mosque.
A similar but inverted lighting design was implemented for this feature
to create harmony with the adjacent building. In addition to this, illumination
at the pedestal wall was introduced using concealed energy efficient
fluorescent luminaires integrated within a slot to provide ambient lighting
to the Mosque perimeter. The external lighting was deliberately located
to provide reflections from the perimeter water.
Linear LED ‘L’ shaped arrays have been integrated into junctions
between paving to reflect the slot design on the Mosque cladding. Graphic
shapes act as a visual guide to the Mosque rather than dominating the
feature.
A lighting control system for the interior and exterior façade
of this project was also carefully established by using the concept
of lighting scene control via Automatic Astronomic/Solar Time-clock
and Manual Override. The scenes can be chosen depending on the Praying
Time.
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