| Project/Product Description | Since first opening, its doors in 2003, Bab Al Shams has long since been an iconic Dubai destination, renowned as a resort rooted in true Arabian hospitality. For the resort’s recent refurbishment, the aim was to provide a much-needed facelift while ensuring the design remained relevant and future-proofed.
Located within the Bab Al Shams resort is the region's first-ever open-air desert restaurant, Al Hadheerah. The building is located 300 meters from the resort and is tucked away among the sand dunes, decorated to evoke the allure of an Arabian fort with natural stone, rock walls, and a sunken dining area. The nearby ancient hamlet with a souk, as well as the presence of Bedouin Arab horsemen and a camel caravan on the dune above the restaurant, add to the ambience.
Al Hadheerah itself means barn or stable, therefore the architecture of the space is rustic in nature, reminiscent of the surrounding region and landscape with its equine activities. The incredible space for gathering can cater for an impressive 1,000 guests or more at one time, with live entertainment accompanying the restaurant vibes. This four-sided open-to-air dining experience boasts a dedicated children's area and a canopied authentic dining area. Plus, an elaborate staged area for entertainment and an incredible show kitchen.
Al Hadheerah can be approached through a grand entrance adorned with palm trees leading to a rural village marketplace where trinkets, souvenirs and gifts can be purchased. Once you have meandered through this wonderful authentic experience lit with beautiful low-level lanterns a welcome lounge area awaits with Arabic refreshments a plenty to consume, even before reaching the main restaurant. Other subtle meandering pathways through the desert sand provide access to the incredible venue providing a real taste of local culture.
Lighting is a key feature of the open-air restaurant Al Hadheerah, with a warm glow of lanterns set to welcome guests and create a serene dining experience. Bab Al Shams is an elegant yet laidback 5-star resort - the perfect getaway in paradise - Al Hadheerah is a restaurant that has won numerous awards making this location much more than a place to visit.
Located within the Bab Al Shams resort is the region's first-ever open-air desert restaurant, Al Hadheerah. Offering guests not only fine cuisine but belly dancers, henna artists, a live band, singers, dancers, and a horse and camel show all while being set in the vast desert awash with the warm glow of lighting, designed by Studio Lumen.
The building is located 300 meters from the resort and is tucked away among the sand dunes, decorated to evoke the allure of an Arabian fort with natural stone, rock walls, and a sunken dining area. The nearby ancient hamlet with a souk, as well as the presence of Bedouin Arab horsemen and a camel caravan on the dune above the restaurant, add to the ambience.
Al Hadheerah itself can be approached from different angles, one of which is a meandering pathway through the desert sand, lit with low-lying lanterns and accent lights within the tree canopies, creating a tapestry of light and shade on a guest's approach.
The main vehicular drop-off area also boasts low-level lanterns adding to the desert ambience and setting the scene for guests right from the point of arrival.
Upon approach, two incredible lit Horse sculptures provide an unbelievable element of grandeur, with lit torches rising behind them showcasing the splendour of the resort. All pathway lighting is indirect creating a beautiful warm glow and rustic tones. The welcome lounge boasts both indirect and decorative lighting, creating a sense of welcoming warmth and calm before leading through to Al Hadheerah itself.
Al Hadheerah’s open-air dining experience boasts natural lantern-style lighting fading in and out to create a natural naked flame feel. The entertainment area is where these lighting solutions really come into their own, turning into a vast colour dynamic scenario, with the ability to cast light in all directions, syncing in perfectly with the live entertainment. The lighting in the entertainment area can be controlled by a DJ or separate controls, Studio Lumen worked incredibly closely with the entertainment specialists to ensure this versatility and orchestration for a seamless overall experience. Lantern and cordless table lighting throughout the venue provide perfect warm light and dynamic indirect lighting showcases the natural stonework, perfectly setting the right ambience and accenting the rustic stable feel.
The lighting design at Al Hadheerah plays a crucial role in integrating the resort with its desert surroundings and creating intricate details that enhance the overall guest experience. It combines practical illumination with a deep respect for the traditional aesthetics of the Arabian culture, ensuring guests not only have a comfortable stay but also immerse themselves in the beauty and heritage of the region.
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| Materials Used | Located just 300 meters from the main building of the Bab Al Shams Resort is Al Hadheerah, the renowned desert restaurant known for its traditional Arabic cuisine.
The lighting design for this project was an integral part of creating the restaurant's enchanting ambience right from the very beginning. Employing a combination of traditional and modern lighting elements to set the mood and enhance the dining experience.
The lighting design at this stunning location is a perfect contextual fit in the sense that it harmonises with its desert surroundings and traditional theme. It enhances the overall guest experience that is both aesthetically pleasing and culturally relevant to the region, creating a strong contextual connection to the surrounding environment and heritage.
Since first opening, its doors in 2003, it has long since been an iconic Dubai destination, renowned as a resort rooted in true Arabian hospitality. For the resort’s recent refurbishment, the aim was to provide a much-needed facelift while ensuring the design remained relevant and future-proofed.
The lighting design is used to strategically highlight the architectural details of the resort, showcasing the traditional Arabian design elements of the buildings such as intricate arches, carved woodwork and decorative motifs. The well-placed lighting accentuates these features, allowing guests to appreciate the craftsmanship and cultural aesthetics.
The lighting design at Al Hadheerah holds several key responsibilities to ensure the resort's overall success and guest satisfaction.
Studio Lumen worked closely with ID and Architects to ensure the decorative lighting achieves the required technical requirements.
These include creating an ambience that aligns with the rich environment and ensuring safety and navigation around the resort, particularly during the evening and nighttime. Dynamic lighting on the catenary as a solution worked wonders to provide a dynamic and general ambience to the space.
Syncing live entertainment lighting with general ambient lighting was a top priority and an enormous amount of technical excellence was required to create a seamless and immersive experience for the audience. A deep understanding of lighting technology, meticulous planning and precise execution now elevates the overall experience. Technical attributes were specifically reviewed with user experience as the key criteria.
Highlighting features and landscapes was also a priority all while considering cultural relevance and conservation. The lighting not only serves practical purposes it creates a unique and immersive guest experience.
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| Sustainability | Given its remote desert location, Al Hadheerah benefits from minimal light pollution, providing Studio Lumen with an excellent opportunity to preserve the night sky. The lighting is tailored to create a soothing and comfortable atmosphere, evoking romance and a tranquil mood. Lighting along pathways and walkways was strategically placed to guide guests while maintaining the desert mystique. Soft, subtle lighting allows guests to navigate the outdoor areas comfortably while creating a magical atmosphere under the open desert sky.
Conditional Programming of the guestroom lighting controls also ensures that the guests enjoy the same scene on different light levels during the day and after dark. The light levels have been programmed to synchronise with the daylight and night-time conditions perfectly to enhance the setting and guest experience.
Studio Lumen worked closely throughout this project with the core interior design team ID Architects and landscape designers to achieve the balance required to accent the splendour of the location and to provide the right navigation throughout the natural beauty of the desert landscape, Creating a seamless blend between the resort and its surroundings.
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.
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| Issues Faced | Lighting design doesn’t just illuminate space, it transforms it into an immersive, dynamic and unforgettable environment. Projects like this set a new standard for proficiency by pushing the boundaries of what lighting can achieve in terms of aesthetics, functionality and emotional impact.
This project wasn’t without its challenges, budget cuts presented the first obstacle during the course of the project and timescales added extra pressure, as the project was fast-tracked to capitalise on the construction capabilities during the off-peak season. Contractors were already excavating on site before the lighting design was even a concept, meaning many of the spaces had lighting design from concept through to site within an incredible two-week period, all driven by design experience and instincts.
Studio Lumen ensured the successful extension of the theme that the operator and the designers had set out to create. The lighting design remains loyal to the avid guests who return time after time, ensuring consistency and the perfect ambience for their favourite getaway.
The project outcome is outstanding, especially given that the achieved results are those of a Value-Engineered option and not those of the original grander scheme. This successful lighting enhancement adds to the upgraded dining experience offered by Al Hadheerah and is the perfect addition to the luxury resort.
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