dpa lighting consultants had the pleasure of collaborating with Fabled Studio on the lighting design of Hart Shoreditch, London. Drawing inspiration from the area’s rich industrial history, Fabled Studio combined old-world charm and contemporary design to deliver a project filled with beautiful craftmanship, layers of texture and hand-worked copper accents. Guests are welcomed into the hotel with cool textured sandstone walls and soaring stone arches, which are contrasted by the warm statement decorative lighting. dpa worked closely with Fabled Studio in the selection of lamping within decorative elements to create a warm and inviting ambience, whilst minimal architectural lighting adds accents to feature trees, stone arches, and concealed integrated lighting to statement bookcases enveloping the guest elevators.

Leading through to the restaurant, past the statement wrought iron staircase and glowing pendants, the cool textures of the reception are replaced with rich oxblood leathers, exotic veneers and a statement soft oak ceiling, complemented with a continuation of warm decorative lighting. The soft oak ceiling is a reference to the furniture & cabinet makers of Great Eastern Street, with the intricate junctions of each oak beam celebrated with miniature spotlights to enhance the angular rhythmic expression of the ceiling.

Completing the guest areas are meeting rooms and a gym nestled in the lower ground floor of the hotel building. Providing maximum flexibility, Fabled Studio designed a mirror image meeting room which can be divided with sliding panelled timber screens to allow one room to become two. By utilising ceiling coves and bespoke joinery to integrate concealed lighting, dpa were able to add interest and focus to particular elements of the interior, with supplementary downlighting to provide functional light to the tables. Lighting control within the Meeting Rooms, provide the flexibility of controlling both rooms together and independently to provide different scenes depending on the occupancy. Within the gym, functional opal downlights are softened with integrated linear uplighting behind delicate diamond fretwork panels and statement batten wall lights.

Fabled Studio continued the clean and cool palette of colours with copper accents within the guestrooms, which led dpa to combine very warm white dimmable, 2400K downlights and linear lighting, integrated within bespoke joinery and to provide soft uplighting behind the headboard, to compliment the warm decorative lighting.

To reduce energy and maintenance costs a lighting control system was installed in the public areas to give the flexibility required for the lighting to adapt to suit the hotel’s needs throughout the day. The control system installed includes an astronomical time clock that automatically sets the lighting scenes to allow for a smooth transition between day and night and there are control plates within the Restaurant, Reception, and Meeting Rooms to allow for further control of the lighting should the staff wish to change the lighting scene, or raise/lower the light levels.

Hotel Operator: Hilton Hotels and Resorts
Interior Design: Fabled Studio
Photography: Courtesy of Hart Shoreditch Hotel London, Curio Collection by Hilton

Situated on West Beijing Road in the heart of the Jingan District, Shanghai’s cultural and business centre, the 68-floor, 491-styled guest room St. Regis Shanghai Jingan hotel offers guests stunning views across the city and ease of access to explore Shanghai’s storied past and energetic present.

The hotel’s elegant interiors in combination with the integrated lighting layers, create a harmonious ambience by combining traditional English and Chinese palatial styles with elements of Chinese art and culture, such as calligraphy and handcrafted gold foil paintings. Five glass sculptures by world-renowned glass sculptor Dale Chihuly are featured in the hotel’s public space, together with the signature chandeliers of the Great Hall and Drawing Room.

dpa were tasked with developing the front-of-house lighting design concept and detailing this for the local project team to then implement.  The areas include the atmospheric ground floor St. Regis Bar, Champagne Bar decorated with the St. Regis mural of Chinese landscape painting inspired by artist Zhao Bo-Ju from Song Dynasty, the Yan Ting Chinese Restaurant with its private dining rooms, and Seki-Tei Japanese Restaurant with feature live cooking station.  The public spaces are a blend of clean crisp architectural lighting components and decorative lighting pieces, which typify the interior lighting scheme.

Hotel Operator: Marriott International – The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan, China
Photography: Courtesy of The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan, China 

The newly-refurbished Michelin starred Royal Champagne Hotel overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage listed vineyards of France’s Champagne region, is a former post-house where French kings would stop along their way to coronations in Reims.  The Condé Nast Traveller Top Resort in Europe 2020 winner comprises a modernist wing and a restored 19th-century Coach Inn and has a refined, fresh, elegant and restorative personality, with interiors by celebrated designer Sybille de Margerie.

dpa worked closely with the French landscape architect’s AC&T Paysages & Territoires to develop an exterior landscape lighting strategy to compliment the modern Parisian styled landscape, with linear planting set within sinuous planting beds.  The lighting design was knitted into the fabric of the exterior and included a slender timber post with integrated downlight, to provide rhythm and articulation to the circulation.

Owner: Provital
Architects: PACE
Landscape Architect:  AC&T Paysages & Territoires
Interior Design: Sybille de Margerie
Project Manager:  Ramsey Krause Ltd / MACE
Photography:  Courtesy of Royal Champagne

Set on a stunning crescent bay, Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa is recognized as the No. 1 Resort in the Caribbean and among the Top 15 Best Resorts in the World by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller.  Saint Barthélemy also tops the list as the Best Island in the Caribbean & Atlantic region, so recognised as one of the best islands in the entire world.  The hotel has a refined, fresh, elegant and restorative personality, with interiors by celebrated designer Sybille de Margerie and cuisine by chef William Girard.  The hotel embraces its chic Parisian characteristics while entertaining a relaxed atmosphere within its luxurious setting of white sandy beaches, devoted to rest, pleasure and relaxation.

The lighting design strives to continue the daytime experience with a personalised scheme, complementing the varying architectural and landscape natural materials, whilst being neatly integrated into the fabric of the design. The end result reveals a soft and atmospheric experience with a palette of well-crafted lighting components, completely synchronised with the context of the surroundings.

Owner: Champagne Hospitality
Interior Design: Sybille de Margerie
Electrical Consultant: E.R.T.E.C
Project Manager: Alain Gerard
Photography: Courtesy of Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Pune is the latest addition to the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Hotel chain. The strong, modern and minimalistic external architecture, characterised by clean lines, glazed façades, and the unadorned, monumental entrance creates a unique contrast with the more decorative, classic, and soft interiors. The interior style is a modern, chic and luxurious re-interpretation of the traditional Indian architectural and decorative themes. dpa lighting consultants were delighted to work with Panchshil Realty, Madhav Joshi and Associates, and Bangkok-based interior architects PIA to develop sympathetic and appropriate lighting solutions for both interior and exterior environments.

The lighting approach for the external illumination of the hotel follows this stylistic oxymoron. A very modern graphic line of light on the façade emphasises the clean style of the architecture. A unique line of light, starting from the Ritz-Carlton Logo, wraps around the building almost embracing it, and visually leads the guests towards the port cochere’s triple-height entrance. The main lobby features two enormous oversized chandeliers that glow in their glory and create a subtle and elegant sparkle visible from a distance when approaching the hotel. The main all-day dining restaurant features four different restaurants: Asian, Italian, French patisserie, and Indian. Each restaurant area within this large and voluminous space has individual lighting, which both accentuates the features of each space and visually guides the guests in their journey through this culinary experience. Ukiyo restaurant, on the first floor, is the first Japanese restaurant in Pune, and is dramatically lit in order to enhance the texture of materials and create a rhythm of light and shadow. The hotel also features a magnificent spa, two monumental ballrooms, meeting rooms, and, on the top floor, executive and private lounges, and a rooftop bar. The guestroom lighting treatments contribute to creating a calm and welcoming environment for a classic and timeless luxury experience.

Owner: Panchshil Realty, Pune, India
Operator: The Ritz-Carlton
Project Manager:  Panchshil Realty, Pune, India
Architect / Landscape Architect: Madhav Joshi and Associates, Pune, India
Interior Designer for the Public Areas: PIA Interior, Bangkok, Thailand
M&E Consultant: Panchshil Realty, Pune, India
Photography: Courtesy of The Ritz Carlton Hotel and Panchshil Realty

dpa lighting were delighted to provide the lighting design consultancy on the new W Hotel Resort and Spa in Muscat, Oman. dpa worked with the client OMRAN, and the design team including local architect COWI, interior designers P49 Deesign in Bangkok and The Rockwell Group in Madrid, plus landscape designer LMS International Landscape Architecture in Dubai. The W Muscat is a very large beach front resort property with 280 guest rooms and suites, five very individual F&B outlets, Ballroom and meeting rooms, large spa and gym, roof top destination bar, and extensive landscaped gardens. The scope was for all FOH areas of the interior and exterior of the property. As with all W brand hotels there is a very high level of design and contemporary feature elements, and this required dpa to develop many custom integrated lighting elements and collaborate on many feature decorative luminaires. The concept combines local Omani heritage with high contemporary design. There is a strong use of colour and decoration, and lighting played a crucial part on all areas of the project to emphasise and enhance the design concepts. Lighting controls played an important part also to build in subtle light dynamics and colour change where appropriate.

The guest rooms are stylish and restrained with relatively subtle feature elements and colour. The suites become more adventurous and this develops into the public areas for a visually exciting and, at each turn, surprising and stimulating  experience. The level of design consideration across the whole project is extremely high and dpa enjoyed the challenges of designing the lighting solutions to suit. Overall, the project took seven years from concept to completion.

Client: OMRAN
Project Architect: COWI, Muscat, Oman
Interior Designers: P49 Deesign, Bangkok, and The Rockwell Group, Madrid, Spain
Landscape Architect: LMS International Landscape Architecture, Dubai, UAE
Photography: Courtesy of W Muscat, Oman

Owner and Client, Parkland has recently launched South East China’s newest 5 star hotel to become the latest jewel in the Shenzhen Bay area.

dpa were very proud to be part of the design team under interior designer LW Design Group who were responsible for the interior Public Areas, F&B, Spa and Guestrooms, and GA Design International who were responsible for the top three floors of the building where the Chinese Restaurant, Private Lounges and the Signature Long Bar are located.  dpa were involved from the very outset of the project from concept through to completion and final setting-up stages on site.

The interiors are large spaces with a contemporary Chinese feel employing rich materials, artwork, and finishing. The lighting needed to respond to the interior design and enhance the focal points of interest, whilst being inviting and conveying a sense of luxury typical of a Raffles hotel. All lighting equipment was locally sourced and detailed within the interior fabric to be as integrated as possible.

Owner and Client: Parkland
Operator: Raffles Hotels & Resorts
Project Manager: Parkland
Interior Designer: LW Design Group and GA Design International
Photography: Courtesy of Parkland and Raffles Hotels & Resorts

The Langley is a grand country manor hotel sitting in a former royal hunting ground and with landscaping originally designed by England’s greatest gardener, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.  Located in the Langley Park estate, a 40-minute drive from the capital, the hotel comprises two buildings – a historic mansion once the former estate of the Duke of Marlborough, and a Grade II-listed 18th century building formerly used as a stables and brew house. The hotel’s boutique selection of 41 exquisite rooms and suites are designed by Dennis Irvine Studio with the height of sophistication and refinement in mind.

dpa were commissioned with designing the lighting for all public front of house and guest areas as well as all external lighting to both the buildings and landscaping. Closely working alongside the interior designers Dennis Irvine Studio, architects Gibberd, and landscape designers Colvin and Moggridge to achieve a comprehensive and coherent scheme when moving throughout the property.

The Langley Spa, a state of the art subterranean 2,500sqm world-class wellness centre features an indoor pool, thermal areas, hammams, relaxation lounges and five expansive treatment rooms. A specially designed fitness suite by leading personal trainer and author, Matt Roberts with technologically advanced systems and equipment.

As a brand new facility, the spa did not have the same heritage listing restrictions as the other areas of the property do, and as such a considered approach creates a calming environment that pays homage to the adjacent Palladian mansion with a contemporary twist. As a subterranean space, the artificial lighting is more crucial than ever in creating a suitable environment. The use of concealed light sources, warm colour temperatures and a sophisticated lighting control system ensures the guest experience is second to none.

Owner: City and Country Hotels
Operator: Marriott International
Project Manager: BTP Group
Architect: Gibberd
Interior Designer: Dennis Irvine Studio
Landscape Consultants: Colvin and Moggridge
Photography: James Balston Photography

The Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik stands proud looking over Dubrovnik’s historic Old Town. The hotel is set in a grand building steeped with history, originally built in 1890. Therefore, it was a great pleasure to be appointed by Hilton to collaborate with Goddard Littlefair to redesign the Lobby Reception and the Lobby Lounge Bar.

When entering the hotel you are greeted by an elegant Reception Lobby with a very striking lighting feature suspended from its high ceilings. The architectural lighting is minimal and discreet, providing good functional light as well as highlighting key features such as the colourful artwork behind the desk. Together with the low level lighting integrated within the joinery and the decorative wall and table lights, the lighting provides a warm, welcoming space.

Leading off the Reception, a few steps takes you to the Lobby Lounge. The Lounge has a luxurious feel, the drapery has been lit with mini ceiling recessed downlights and the antique mirrored archways illuminated with floor recessed uplights. Multiple layers of integrated lighting has been carefully coordinated into the display shelf dividing the Lounge from the Bar, with a beautiful feature chandelier taking centre stage.

The Bar with its blue ceiling and large central pendant has a masculine feel but with the addition of subtle detailing, including the illuminated back bar and the uplighting from the perimeter panelling, it becomes a well-balanced, refined space, where you could easily pass the evening hours away.

dpa are very excited to be continuing to work at the hotel with Goddard Littlefair on the next phase which includes the renovation of the Restaurant on the ground floor and the external spaces.

Operator: Hilton
Interior Design: Goddard Littlefair
Project Manager: Davor Poropat – Abilia d.o.o
Photography: Gareth Gardner

Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai is a newly constructed, 5 Star resort style hotel located on Dubai’s Arabian Gulf shoreline.

Over a period of 4 years, dpa worked in close collaboration with the Client, Operator and Design Team WASL Group, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Architects DAR and Interior Designers Design Wilkes, Silverfox and Opaal Interiors to design the lighting solutions for all public FoH areas of the Hotel, internally and externally.

Interior Design for the Guestrooms, Public Areas and Ballroom facilities was undertaken by Design Wilkes whilst the Interior Design for the Royal Penthouse was completed by Opaal Interiors.  Silverfox Studios provided the Interior Design for the Spa and Fitness Centre and the Speciality Restaurants, The Bay, Tasca and Netsu.  Landscape design was courtesy of 40North and Cracknells.

As part of the design brief dpa worked closely with all parties from initial conception stage, ensuring that the lighting design was cohesive throughout the hotel, and well integrated within the Interior Design and Architecture.

dpa followed the project through to the construction stages, maintaining a regular presence on site to ensure the designs were fully understood and coordinated with the various contractors, suppliers, consultants and site teams.

Whilst all spaces are special in their own way, the most impactful moments within the Hotel occur in the Main Lobby and within Netsu Restaurant.

The Main Lobby is very important, forming the first impression of the Hotel for arriving guests and visitors.  At 12 metres tall, it provided a challenge to ensure that the lighting was sufficient to adequately illuminate the space during daylight hours, with the dimming range to provide subtlety and ambience after dark.  A discreet, linear, ceiling recessed system was designed and specified, allowing high output linear LED luminaires to be installed in a way which matched the rhythm of the architecture and the ceiling.

At ground level, there is a colonnade of 14 Light Trees, designed by Design Wilkes and Preciosa, with technical and aesthetic input from dpa. The Trees feature approximately 900 individually addressed LED light points, illuminating hand blown glass leaves. The leaves are programmed to produce dynamic ripples of light, individually varying their brightness to create differing effects. The arrangement of the colonnades leads the eye along the central water feature, and through to the landscaped, beach adjacent courtyard and lap pool.

Within Netsu, a signature restaurant on the ground level, Silverfox Studios produced an industrial aesthetic, with a combination of rugged and natural materials. The brief was to create a theatrical dining experience, to use the central open Robata kitchen as a ‘stage’.

In response to this, dpa implemented a series of suspended lighting truss rigs, upon which were mounted theatrical RGBW projectors, with variable beam angles and focussing.  These projectors were used to provide warm white intensity at the points where food is displayed and served, and dramatic coloured accents around the space.  RGBW linear floodlights were mounted on top of the rigs to provide a coloured wash of light to the MEP service at high level, accentuating the height and industrial aesthetic of the space.

Owner: WASL Group
Operator: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Project Manager: DAR
Architect: DAR
Interior Designer for Public Areas: Design Wilkes
Interior Designer for Spa and Restaurants: Silverfox Studios
Interior Designer for the Royal Penthouse: Opaal Interiors
Interior Design Coordinators: PMQ
Landscape Consultants: 40North and Cracknells
MEP Consultant: SEED Engineering
Photography: Ales Vyslouzil and Preciosa Lighting (Lobby Photos) and Alex Jeffries Photography Group and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Video Link: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai

Located in the Greens & Views area of Dubai, the recently opened Zabeel House carefully reflects its position within one of the cities more diverse residential areas.

An urban oasis with a fresh contemporary take on relaxed, informal luxury, the lighting to Zabeel House manages to both amplify and distil the best attributes of its surroundings.

The large lobby area acts as a transitional space, helping to promote the high energy and vibrancy of this new development and its clientele. Spaces are functional with an emphasis on quirky objects such as oversized ants, vintage cameras and giant folded paper plane sculptures.

Lobby spaces diffuse into the Bar, decked out with lush greenery that creates dappled and diffuse hiding spaces and the Social Club dining area, vibrant by day and more opulent during the hours of darkness.

Guestrooms and corridors area treated simply, with focus maintained on quality of materials and textures.

The Business Centre offers a sophisticated and flexible environment in which network and conference  go hand in hand. Softer illuminated spaces rub shoulders with large scale glass clad meeting rooms offering a more functional approach to light.

The Gym, Health Club & Treatment Rooms are all versed in the same narrative, employing natural wood tones that contrast and complement with the more robust materials of wire mesh, breeze block and brick.

Lah Lah, the edgy Pan Asian kitchen/bar brings this design language to it’s logical conclusion. Lush greenery helps to break up the playful use of semi industrial materials whilst the lighting responds through varied states during the day and night helping to create a vibrant space that is equally at home hosting raucous after work drinks, relaxed dining or long lazy lunches.

Completed: February 2019
Client: Onyx Line/Jumeirah Group
Interior Designer: LW Design Group
Photography: Natelee Cocks

The Corinthia London has been focused on maintaining their reputation as one of London’s finest hotels in 2018, having recently refurbished a series of their largest suites.  dpa were invited to work alongside GA Design to transform the interiors of the existing suites, to create luxurious new spaces with a sophisticated residential character. The London Suites have been formed by two smaller suites to create a new entrance hall as well as new living and dining rooms, whilst maintaining the existing generous bedroom and bathroom spaces.  The Garden Suites exploited their existing volumes, with a split living/dining room from the bedroom.

In keeping with the residential concept, low-level decorative lighting elements can be found throughout to provide a sense of comfort and warmth at each area of guest interaction.  Simple warm white coffer lighting compliments the excellent daylight received in both suite types throughout the day.  This is then reduced at night time, when the decorative lighting becomes more prominent.  Integrated lighting to shelves and picture lights throughout emphasise the art and accessories, which provide the playful colour within each room.

The existing lighting control arrangements were retained to ensure familiarity for returning guests.  With two pre-set scenes in each space as well as toggle features and engraved buttons, the lighting controls are also intuitive for new guests to the hotel.  Careful coordination and testing of new LED light sources was needed with the existing equipment to ensure smooth dimming to low light levels could be achieved.

Since completion, the new London and Garden Suites have been very well received by guests and provide a further asset to the hotel.

Client: Corinthia London
Interior Design: GA Design
Photography: Courtesy of Corinthia London