Surface Design Awards – Complete

• LIGHT + SURFACE - INTERIOR 
  The innovative use of light and the way it is inextricably linked to surfaces, whether it’s the effect the light has on the surrounding surfaces or the materials used to create the light. 

The Grosvenor House Hotel in Dubai is a luxury hotel located in the Dubai Marina. Known for its elegance, outstanding guest experience and fine dining it is a distinctive and luxurious destination for travellers seeking a truly memorable and upscale experience. Situated on the 43rd floor of Grosvenor House, with a 360-degree view of the Dubai skyline is City Social, a Michelin-starred culinary experience that has taken cues from its sister location in London and given them a Middle Eastern twist.
The incredible dining experience at City Social by the acclaimed British celebrity chef Jason Atherton plays host to unmatched lighting concepts right from the drawing board. The lighting in the Michelin-starred restaurant focuses on creating an ambience that complements the immersive dining experience. Involving a balance between functional and aesthetic lighting, soft, warm lighting was preferred to create the cosy intimate dining areas to match the atmosphere.
The restaurant features a bar with a terrace and a grand staircase with a never-ending wine cellar as its backdrop. The dynamic New York-style grill features tableside service complemented by live Jazz performances where diners can sit back and enjoy culinary delights while soaking in breathtaking views of Bluewater’s Island.

The romantic setting is enhanced by lighting that relies on Indirect lighting techniques in the interior architecture alongside feature chandeliers, decorative lighting and vibrant clusters of warm candles to ensure the ambience of the space is extensively amplified to provide the perfect guest experience.

The combination of culture and modernity was an important factor in the lighting concept for this incredible location, with lighting design by Studio Lumen integral to curating settings that evoke emotion and visually appealing spaces.
The lighting designers worked closely throughout this project with the core interior design team to achieve the balance required to accent the splendour of the location and to provide the right navigation throughout the different locations, all with functionality, flexibility, and energy efficiency at the forefront of their minds.
Different levels of lighting fixtures highlight architectural features and accentuate artwork to arrange the right setting for the immersive experience. The lighting design provided by Studio Lumen incorporated different light combinations to allow for flexibility in the intensity as the evening progresses to accentuate the dining experience. Leaving a lasting impression on guests and encouraging their return.
With this project, the devil was in the detail, close collaboration with the ID design team ensured the lighting solutions and equipment were discreet in this space, with effort made to approach and utilise new techniques wherever possible.
Studio Lumen's knowledge and expertise played a crucial role in this project, turning lighting design concepts into real-life settings. The lighting design played a pivotal role in ensuring the guest experience was ‘on point’, influencing mood, perception and overall enjoyment. From the intimate and romantic to the bold and energetic this project had it all.

City Social is a Michelin-starred restaurant located within The Grosvenor House Hotel in Dubai, offering authentic cuisine in a dynamic New York-style grill. Known for its creative cocktails, extensive wine list and exquisite dishes the thoughtful lighting design provided by Studio Lumen contributed to the overall aesthetic appeal of the restaurant, creating not only a visually stunning environment but also the perfect backdrop to guide guests to different areas of the restaurant, such as the bar, terrace and grand staircase.
The lighting designers worked closely throughout this project with the core interior design team to achieve the balance required to accent the splendour of the location and to provide the right navigation throughout the different locations, all with functionality, flexibility, and energy efficiency at the forefront of their minds.
Every aspect of the lighting design was meticulously planned, from adequate illumination to colour rendering and light distribution through to integration and compliance. Achieving technical excellence in lighting design requires a deep understanding of key lighting principles, materials and technologies as well as close collaboration with other project stakeholders such as architects, engineers and interior designers, something we believe this project truly showcases.
Accent ratios of 1:5 are maintained for dramatic accents that help delineate activities within the open-plan spaces. LED strip lights that are integrated and remain invisible and decorative lighting including the use of warm cluster candles set the perfect scene, even the perceptive lighting approach allows the opportunity to take advantage of the bright views of the Dubai Marina.
Automated lighting controls to ensure a seamless transition over the course of the operations from evening to late night, retaining the required ambience at all times.

To ensure longevity careful planning was essential taking into consideration durability, thermal management, heat dissipation, compatibility and fixture placement. By adhering to these practices, the lighting design ensures that it achieves an opulent and immersive atmosphere and maintains its quality and functionality over an extended period, providing a lasting and valuable investment for the establishment and client.

One of the biggest challenges is achieving the right balance between functionality and aesthetics. In this project, it involved considering factors such as the purpose of the space, energy efficiency, cost constraints and the desired atmosphere, all while ensuring that the lighting design meets safety, interior design and the client's requirements.
This project was not without its challenges – the project underwent some dramatic changes in the course of construction, resulting in the original scheme quickly adapting to the revisions in the space. Circulation spaces were recreated with an anticipated rise in demand which meant the lighting layouts and hierarchy of spaces were completely realigned.
Lighting plays a hugely important role in adding a successful vibrant atmosphere to the venue, really putting it on the map for Dubai. Studio Lumen successfully executed the extension of the theme that the operator and designers set out to create, establishing a distinct identity for each space and creating a memorable experience that transports guests to the luxurious gourmet restaurant.

The combination of culture and modernity was an important factor in the lighting concept for this incredible location, with lighting design by Studio Lumen integral to curating settings that evoke emotion and visually appealing spaces. In essence, the lighting for this location wasn’t just about visibility, it was about curating an atmosphere that perfectly complemented the fine dining culinary journey, that fully immerses diners.
The ultimate goal for Studio Lumen was to enhance the dining experience by crafting a visually appealing and comfortable environment that complemented the culinary experience, devised by Michelin-starred British acclaimed celebrity chef Jason Atherton. With this project, the devil was in the detail, close collaboration with the ID design team ensured the lighting solutions and equipment were discreet in this space, with effort made to approach and utilise new techniques wherever possible.