Monte Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat Island,
Abu Dhabi, UAE

dpa Dubai were the appointed Lighting Consultants for the new Monte Carlo Beach Club the first beach club on the island of Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi. The Beach Club was designed to celebrate fine living, culture, wellbeing and health in a uniquely Arabian way.

LWD Architects created a contemporary and elegant building which aligns more with European styles than the traditional Arabic structures often found in the UAE. The Club offers its members and day guests access to world-class internal and external facilities such as a spa, gym and exterior pool with 8 pool cabanas, making it one of the select premium brand communities in the region. Le Deck is the Beach Clubs, signature fine dining restaurant, offering a la carte lunches and evening meals in a relaxed setting. The Sea Lounge is a permanent outdoor venue with DJ facilities, an open lounge deck, and a connection to an impressive lawn that can be used to host events.

dpa worked closely with LWD Interiors to create lighting schemes that enhance the soft colour tones and textures of the interior spaces. Special attention was made to control the lighting between interior and exterior spaces so as to provide guests with excellent sea view vistas from interior spaces and subtly illuminate the landscape and gardens. We were also aware of the lighting in transitional zones, namely the main reception area, which for 6 months of the year will be semi-enclosed, allowing ease of movement from the interior to exterior and thus the lighting should not be too contrasting, but ambient and sympathetic to the guest’s experience.

The exterior lighting to the front of the building seeks to emphasise the structural elements of the architecture and cut-off luminaires mounted on low lighting columns to minimise light pollution. The beach side lighting focuses on the main central swimming pool and the cabana area, with discreet wall recessed luminaires providing pathway lighting for nighttime orientation. Particular sensitivity was shown to placing light sources close to the beach due to the migratory habits of the indigenous marine life.

Client: TDIC
Interior Designer & Architect: LW Design Group
Photography: LW Design Group

Four Seasons Hotel, Casablanca, Morocco

Fronting the Atlantic Ocean, the new intimately scaled Four Seasons Casablanca offers a resort style hotel, blending textured sand-coloured contemporary architecture with a modern Moroccan interior. dpa worked closely with GA Design International, London to design the main public areas including the ‘Mint’ tea lounge and EDG Design, California for the design of the ‘Bleu’ speciality restaurant and ‘Altitude 33’ pool bar.

Overlooking the oceanfront on the prestigious corniche, the hotel is part of the Anfa Place development, being the first master-planned construction on the White City’s shore. The guest experience is set off on arrival at the inspiring and sensational Porte Cochere, which consists of 1225 Moroccan shaped pots, each individually lit. The understated and discreet entrance then gives way to a majestic mix of interior spaces with a building geometry that is based around the linear courtyard and gardens.

Owner: Inveravante
Operator: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Project Manager: MACE
Master Planning Architect of Anfa Place: Foster + Partners
Local Architect: Sens Archi
Landscape Architect: Arge
Interior Designer: GA Design (main Public Areas including the ‘Mint’ Tea Lounge) and EDG Design (‘Bleu’ Speciality Restaurant and ‘Altitude 33’ Pool Bar)
Electrical Contractor: Elecnor
Photography: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

JW Marriott Hotel, Absheron, Baku, Azerbaijan

Situated on the site of the old Absheron hotel, the new JW Marriott Absheron is located next to the vibrant Baku Boulevard along the city’s waterfront. With the fashionable new developments of Port Baku residences and the Park Bulvar shopping mall in close proximity.

dpa Dubai were appointed as the specialist lighting consultants for the internal Public Areas and dpa London for the external Façade and Landscape. The interior designer for the project was the internationally renowned WA International Interiors, dpa Dubai worked closely with their Design Director Claire Craig to develop the lighting for the internal Public Areas. Our concept focused on concealing indirect light sources within ceilings, walls and furniture details to reduce any visual ‘clutter’ so as not to detract from the interiors. Large decorative glass chandeliers were selected from a specialist manufacturer and dpa were responsible for providing illumination to each chandelier within the reception and pre-function areas.

Located on the 21st floor is the indoor swimming pool, a double height volume with panoramic views of Baku city and the newly constructed Flame Towers. The brief for the lighting was to create drama and contrast, whilst not disrupting the night time views of the city. We developed an LED cove light which uses a DMX protocol to create a simple dual tone colour cycle with extended fade times for lighting scenes during the day and night time. Internal back lit fret work panels, provide an ambient back drop for guests admiring the views whilst relaxing by the pool bar in the evening. The internal lighting effect in the Pool ceiling adds to the exterior lighting scheme and draws attention of the public from Baku Boulevard at night time.

Client: Pasha Group
Operator: JW Marriott
Project Manager: MACE
Architect: Reardon Smith
Interior Designer: WA International Interiors
Landscape Designer: Scape
M&E Consultant: Strabag
Photography: Courtesy of JW Marriott Absheron Baku

Jumeirah Al Naseem, Dubai, UAE

Jumeirah Al Naseem is the newest 5 Star Luxury Hotel addition to the successful and famous Madinat Jumeirah.  Located on the coastline next to the Burj Al Arab with unrivaled views of the sea, the resort hotel is an exciting and exuberant destination.

The modern Arabic architecture and interiors is open, fresh and luxurious, situated in lush landscaped gardens and terraces. dpa were delighted to be appointed by Mirage Leisure Development Inc, and  privileged to be responsible for design the lighting to all the exterior, landscape, F&B, public areas and guestrooms.  Lighting to the extensive development was designed with a combination of deliberate subtle touches, drama and theatric to complement and enhance the world class development.

Client: Dubai Royal Family / Jumeirah Group
Operator: Jumeirah Group
Developer and Project Manager: Mirage Leisure Development Inc
Architect: Northpoint / Woods Bagot
Interior Designer: dsgn design
Landscape Designer: Bensley Design Studios
M&E Consultant: CKR Consulting Engineers
Photography: Alex Jeffries Photography Group / Jumeirah Group

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, Japan

Set in an 800-year-old traditional garden in Japan’s historic imperial capital, the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is enviably located at the foot of Higashiyama Mountain in the city’s temple district with numerous historic landmarks surrounding it.  The light-filled hotel affords breath-taking views in every direction, from the neighbouring Kiyomizu-dera Temple to its own 2.5 acre pond and gardens.

The hotel boasts traditionally-inspired yet contemporary styled interiors by Hirsch Bedner Associates, Singapore, which include creations of Japanese artisans – including washi-paper lamps, fusuma screens and urushi lacquerware.  Patterns of light and shadow emanate from the large windows, and the guests are freely connected with the mesmerising and mystical external spaces.

dpa were invited to develop and co-ordinate the implementation of the concept lighting design prepared by Lighting Planners Associates, Japan, working in close collaboration with the developer Berjaya, Four Seasons and HBA.  The lit result provides visual clarity to the materiality of the interiors and an overriding aesthetic quality for guests to enjoy.  Dimmable warm white light sources were used extensively throughout the project and the combination of architectural lighting and Japanese decorative elements blended seamlessly.

Owner / Operator: Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto
Developer: Berjaya
Interior Designer:  Hirsch Bedner Associates, Singapore
Concept Lighting Design: Lighting Planners Associates, Japan
Photography: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

Cap Vermell Grand Hotel, Mallorca

The Cap Vermell Grand Hotel, Mallorca is nestled in the hills of north east Mallorca. The hotel is laid out around a square like a traditional Mallorcan village. Surrounded by Clusters of buildings built from the local stone excavated from the mountain during construction. The site is divided by winding paths, steps and a central stream helping create an authentically traditional Mallorcan feel.  The challenge for dpa lay in the requirement to balance operational needs of a modern hotel and meet strict energy efficiency regulations whilst blending with the traditional Mallorcan village aesthetic.

dpa worked closely with the Architect DSA, Interior designer Michelle Evans and Associates and Landscape Architect AECOM to create a seamless flow of lighting between the exterior and interior.  Carefully selecting natural material such as copper and bronze for external lighting which naturally weathers to a deep bronze colour helping the lighting to blend into their natural stone surroundings.

Client/Owner: Grupo Cap Vermell
Operator: Hyatt
Project Manager: Cushman & Wakefield
Architect: DSA
Interior Designer: Michelle Evans & Associates
Landscape Designer: AECOM
M&E Consultant: Engineers Assessors
Photography: Courtesy of Cap Vermell Investments Group

Four Seasons Hotel, Kingdom of Bahrain

Situated on a private island, the Four Seasons Hotel transforms the skyline of Manama, Bahrain’s capital city. Designed to be as iconic as it is luxurious, the tower rises over 200 meters above a reclaimed island at the centre of the Bahrain Bay development.  dpa worked closely with SOM Architects, to develop the lighting concept.  The external facades are uplit with a strong wash of light which enhances the elegance of the two monoliths, the principle elements of the hotels form, with the internal façade more delicately washed to reveal the inner voids.  The lighting colour was kept to a simple warm white colour palette designed to enrich the colour and texture of the stone cladding panels and to be an elegant contrast to the multitude of competing colours and light shows of main land Manama.

Client: Bayside
Operator: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Project Manager: Bruceshaw
Architect: Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM)
Interior Designer: PYR
Landscape Designer: EDSA
M&E Consultant: COWI
Photography: Waleed AlAbbas

H&M Sydney, Australia

The store is located on the east side of the pedestrianised section of Pitt Street (known as Pitt Street Mall) between King Street and Market Street.  Located in the central business district of Sydney the street is described by Lord Mayor Clover Moore as “Australia’s premier retail destination”.  The street has around 65,000 people passing through daily and the surrounding buildings are a mix of historic and contemporary façades up to approximately 6 storeys in height. Set back from the street are taller buildings including the Sydney tower at the south east corner of the street.  Pitt Street contains a number of large shopping centres including Westfield Sydney, Strand Arcade, Mid City Centre and Sydney Arcade which are home to many international fashion brands and around 500 speciality stores.

H&M Sydney is located in the Glasshouse red brick building and dpa have provided a sympathetic architectural lighting scheme for the exterior, together with lighting to the internal voids.

Client: H&M
Photography: dpa lighting consultants

 

Night of Heritage Light – Blenheim Palace,
Oxfordshire, UK

dpa Lighting Consultants were delighted to be involved in creating the Night of Heritage Light on 1st October, and seeing one of these World Heritage sites in a way that nobody has before. This project shows the potential of light to present the world around us in a completely new way, but it also demonstrates the versatility of light and the technology behind it.

Lighting is an art as well as a science, and it’s been really exciting and a lot of fun for us to take part in this event with the SLL. We hope it will inspire the next generation of lighters, and remind others of the huge role lighting plays in their daily lives.

Client: Blenheim Palace

 

Pittsburgh Three Rivers, USA

Downtown Pittsburgh is located on a peninsula at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. The lighting strategy is part of a broader initiative by the Pittsburgh Riverlife Task Force to establish a continuous system of trails to connect a series of currently disparate riverfront areas and create exciting destinations along the shoreline.

A lighting strategy was developed to unify the different areas of riverfront with a common lighting theme. Detailed proposals were developed for the lighting of pedestrian trails, bridges, river landings and parks. The strategy also contained proposals for possible major projects such as a laser light show celebrating the gateway to the Ohio River and a new Science Center Square on the north shore.

Leicester Square, London, UK

London’s home of entertainment, Leicester Square, was recently refurbished in a £15.5 million makeover. dpa lighting design were appointed to produce a lighting masterplan and concept design considering not just the square itself, but the wider city block.

The aim was to produce a contemporary design whilst respecting the Square’s familiar historic assets. The lighting masterplan was developed in close collaboration with the landscape architects Burns + Nice, and in consultation with the stakeholders and client, Westminster City Council, taking into account their needs which were incorporated into the masterplan, these included the operation and management, energy efficiency, maintenance issues, access, safety & security, CCTV, discouraging anti-social behaviour and providing for flexible, adaptable lighting for both standard use and for any special events and film premieres held in the square.

The lighting masterplan contained a number of proposals for the surrounding streets and the square itself, many of which have been realised as part of the final scheme.

Client: Westminster City Council
Landscape Architect: Burns + Nice
Photography: James Newton

Gateway Park Hubs, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Working in conjunction with our Client ALDAR, Cracknell Landscape Architects and manufacturers Siteco, dpa have produced the lighting design for the Gateway Park Hubs, YAS Island, Abu Dhabi.

ALDAR’s vision for YAS Island is to create a world class development incorporating residential communities, resorts, leisure attractions and a retail centre. The development includes a fully integrated road and rail transport infrastructure appropriate to serve World destinations such as the F1 Grand Prix circuit. The two Gateway Park Hubs are key elements of this network serving the function to link the main car park and the Gateway Park to the public transportation system and to hosting, within a 120 meters diameter area, a number of bus and Light Train platforms.

The client requested the introduction of a unique, outstanding, distinctive element at the center of these areas, with the intent to provide a recognizable and memorable identity to the spaces. The intent of the Lighting Design scheme was also to minimize the number of lighting columns and ensure adequate illumination levels were provided to these potentially busy areas.

The design team created two 39 metre high lighting masts, based on an indirect lighting system, within a time frame of only seven months from the outset to completion of the installation.

For this purpose 17 metal halide fixtures, each using a 1,000W lamp, are concealed within each structure, while over 300 mirrored panels per mast have been carefully located to redirect the light emission where required. This allowed us to avoid further lighting columns within the Hubs, limiting the use of additional fixtures for uplighting trees and feature shading structures only.

The presence of the feature masts dominate the view through the Gateway Park, achieving a clear focusing point and a reference for orientation.

They provide impressive landmarks, which enhance the quality of the Hubs. We believe the lighting design for the YAS Island Gateway Park Hubs is an interesting example of a scheme able to satisfy visual and functional necessities.

Client: ALDAR
Landscape Designer: Cracknell Landscape Architects

The Bullring, Birmingham, UK

The redevelopment of Birmingham’s Bullring creates a new destination within the Cityscape. Free of vehicular traffic it comprises three key elements: Rotunda Square with its ‘Wands’ providing the node connection to the existing thoroughfares; St Martin’s walk linking down through the development; and St Martin’s Square with St Martin’s Church the focus. The lighting within each of these elements is fully integrated into the fabric and details. This eliminates the pedestrian clutter and fussiness of multiple lighting columns, relying on visual emphasis and focus to critical transition routes, steps and ramps with highlighting to define activity and provide visual hierarchy.

Towner Gallery, Eastbourne, UK

The Towner Gallery is a new contemporary art gallery designed by Rick Mather Architects. The gallery is located next to the Grade 2 listed Congress Theatre in Eastbourne and forms part of the Devonshire Park cultural area within the town.

dpa lighting design were appointed to design the lighting for the public areas, including gallery spaces, conference spaces and community rooms.

The lighting solution proposed for the gallery spaces comprises a ceiling mounted translucent stretch ceiling system located between the structural beams. The stretched ceiling membrane conceals an array of high frequency dimmable fluorescent luminaires which provide diffuse ambient illumination to the gallery spaces. This is supplemented by three circuit lighting tracks with adjustable variable beam low voltage tungsten halogen spotlights which provide additional accent lighting to the paintings and exhibits on display.

Extensive investigations were made into the light transmittance properties of the translucent stretch ceiling.

Light sources within the gallery spaces were chosen for their excellent colour rendering properties and where required, the lamps have been fitted with ultraviolet reduction filters to minimise damage to light sensitive exhibits.

The lighting system is fully flexible allowing the range of ambient illumination levels within the gallery spaces to be varied between approximately 50 to 1000 lux to cater for temporary exhibitions as well as the permanent collection. The gallery spaces can be sub-divided into logical zones, each of which has a minimum of four separately addressable lighting circuits linked to a micro-processor based scene-setting control system.

Client: Eastbourne Borough Council
Project Manager: Cragg Project Management
Architect and Interior Designer: Rick Mather Architects
M&E Consultant: Mott Macdonald
Quantity Surveyor: Gardiner & Theobold

Photography courtesy of Daniel Clements and Richard Chivers.

Cross of Light, Oxford, UK

Wesley Memorial Chapel, Oxford 

Wesley Memorial Chapel was one of several projects included in the Cross of Light initiative striving to improve the perceived quality of Oxford’s key buildings at night.

Following a series of lighting trials appropriate locations were identified to position lighting equipment, so as to emphasise the verticality of the tower and spire on all elevations.

The entrance at the base of the tower was extremely important and lighting techniques included, uplighting to the stone arch, uplighting to the tower buttresses and the backlighting of the stone pediment above the entrance doors, creates a floating effect. 

St Michael at the Northgate

The fine historic architecture of St. Michaels Tower on the junction of Cornmarket Street and Ship Street, Oxford, has been expressed with light, revealing it’s wonderful form and texture, which can be enjoyed from many views in this central part of the City.

It was extremely important to balance the intensity of light projected onto the facades against the elements of the building felt appropriate to highlight, whilst fully appreciating the angles of light transmission to adjacent building users.

Carefully considered and controlled luminaire optics were employed having been previously trialled in order to ascertain the most appropriate location and to portray the character of the building in the best way possible. 

Exeter College Spire 

Exeter College Spire was one of several projects included in the Cross of Light initiative striving to improve the perceived quality of Oxford’s key buildings at night.

The challenge for dpa was to appropriately illuminate the lead roof of the spire structure whilst minimising the amount of light pollution and ingress of artificial light to the neighbouring student accommodation.

Following a series of lighting trials, key locations were identified to locate light fixtures. Narrow beam reflector luminaires with cool white 4200K ceramic metal halide lamps together with sculpture, elongating lenses and anti-glare baffles were utilised.

The inside of the spire, in contrast, was lit using Candlelight sleeves located over T5 linear fluorescent light fixtures.

Client: City of Oxford
Photography: dpa lighting consultants

 

St James’ Gateway, London, UK

This project is part of an on-going regeneration of the St. James area in central London, south of Piccadilly. dpa worked closely with Eric Parry Architects (EPA) on both the external façade lighting and the interior areas of reception lobbies and luxury apartments. For the exterior the challenge was to work with a façade where part of it was retained and listed and another part which was new. Different solutions were developed for each area. The beauty of the selection of materials by EPA was the polished enamel tiling on the new part of the façade adjacent Piccadilly circus which catches and reflects the changing light conditions in the Circus itself – Genius thinking by Eric. As lighting designers we worked to accentuate these new material where we could and for the heritage facades we sympathetically uplit the stone detailing. The side street known as Eagle Place was formerly a sleeping place for the homeless and is now transformed into a well lit passageway linking Piccadilly and Jermyn Street and leading to the entrance to high end office accommodation.

 

Ultimate Picture Palace, Oxford, UK

The Ultimate Picture Palace is a historic grade II listed cinema situated in Jeune Street off the Cowley Road in East Oxford. When first opened in 1911 it was Oxford’s first purpose built cinema.

Through the Oxford Preservation Trust, dpa were asked by the owner Becky Hallsmith, to propose a new lighting scheme for the historic facade and entrance area which were due for refurbishment this year.

Following initial meetings with the client, together with a lighting trial on site, dpa identified the main architectural components that would benefit lighting.

The design was to highlight the architectural features, i.e. the columns and facade panels. For energy efficiency and low maintenance reasons the client was happy to pay the extra capital cost an all LED lighting scheme required.

The choice of lighting was kept to indirect and low glare sources. Recessed LED downlights were used to light the sides of the columns and provide general lighting to the entrance area.
Concealed linear LED uplighting created a soft wash of light to the horizontal lines of the facade. It was also used to illuminate the new signage and highlight the facade at high level, as well as light the walls on top of cornices over the entrance doors.

The design intent was to improve the first impression of the cinema’s visitors by reinforcing the identity and character of the cinema at night.

H&M Store, Lincoln Road, South Beach,
Miami, USA

Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) have opened their latest Flagship Store at the Lincoln Theatre in South Beach, a previous home for the New World Symphony Orchestra. The theatre was built in 1936, designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb in association with Robert E. Collins and is a stunning Art-Deco building with its sleek, curving shape and intricate stylized floral relief’s.

The lighting design compliments the magnificent building and fulfils the retail needs of H&M without sacrificing the architectural integrity of the building, a crucial requirement of the Miami Conservation Portfolio Board. The interior of the store is visually dominated by the telescopic ceiling of the Auditorium and the Proscenium Arch which accommodates an impressive LED screen, in the space that used to be the theatre stage. The content on the screen together with the carefully integrated colour change lighting to the various concealed architectural details animates the whole space and is visible through the extensive glazed surfaces to the outside. The display lighting has been organised in sympathy with the building and insures products looks dramatic and vibrate. The exterior lighting plays a key role to the success of restoring this iconic building, being respectful to the historical architectural details whilst providing a fresh modern approach aimed to enhance the retail experience.

Client: H&M
Photography: dpa lighting consultants