Published on: March 29, 2011

Focus Lighting sent us images of  their recent project The Atlantis Hotel and Resort in Dubai.

It is a luxurious hotel which includes a huge aquarium which Focus Lighting also designed lighting for.

Read more about Atlantis below:

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The Atlantis Hotel and Resort in Dubai is the crown jewel of the Palm Jumeirah, currently the world’s largest man-made island. Dreams are never scoffed at and plans are rarely halted on this island that epitomizes wonder and luxury. The resort is a major contributor to this growing superlative, boasting a landmark hotel, the largest outdoor salt water aquarium in the Middle east, a state-of-the-art water park, white sand beaches, stylish cuisine, a decadent spa and trendy boutiques all at the apex of the crescent around the palm. Meant to conjure the myth and beauty of the long-lost Greek isle, the Atlantis Hotel and Resort combines local culture and contemporary elegance to create an environment meant to satisfy a host of diverse travelers. Focus Lighting drew resort exterior, and for two interior spaces; the Rondo Locatelli (Pizza Souk) and the Rostang Brasserie.

With unique architectural character, the Atlantis deserves careful attention in highlighting the decorative columns, ornate spires, and ogee arch in the center of the structure. The large (27 story) columns are up-lit with Sill flood lights from one meter away giving notice to the inter-woven diamond pattern (which ascends the square pillars), while not transferring unwanted light into the patrons’ rooms.

This is accomplished by steep angled and acute aiming of flood lights to give light to about 250 feet of the façade. Atop the columns, drastic geometric turrets transform into glowing spires at night with two tiers of flood lights and cold cathode lights on the upper level as well.

Over the massive open-air arch, reminiscent in shape of the onion domes of the Taj Mahal and the ogee arches seen in Islamic architecture, the ‘floating’ bridge suite is adorned with crystal jewels of light to add extraordinary appeal to the most prized quarters.

Focus Lighting also took part in lighting other special features including the application of We-Ef flood lights used for indoor fish tanks and other custom features with metal halide fixtures. The 30 foot deep Ambassador Tank was lit entirely from the surface of the water, as to not disturb the fish and sharks with voltage in the water. However, lighting designers tried to maintain enough detail so that the viewers at the bottom of the tank could see the marine life and artifacts with ease at such depth. Extensive mockups and test applications determined the right color temperature, fixture, and angle for the lights in this scenario.

Inside the Resort, the Rondo Locatelli (Pizza Souk) is one of several restaurants available to guests of the Atlantis. A warm and inviting family restaurant, it is arranged as a series of dining circles, as if for tribes gathering around a fire or hearth. The flame motif from the large pizza oven in the center is repeated in a variety of ways throughout the dining hall with the use of candles, warm tones in décor and lighting, and birch fire boxes.

Through the application of LOL track lights, Lucent recessed downlights, Litelab socket strips, and a series of Chinese decorative fixtures, the lighting helps to transform the space form a large open space to a series of family-oriented dining tables. This coordination of intricate details from different parts of the world is an obvious challenge, but in this case helps to bring a bohemian flare and eccentric appeal to the idea of a pizza parlor in the Middle East.

Nearby, the Rostang Brasserie provides an alternative cuisine in the style of a traditional French brasserie, patisserie, and boulangerie in one. Updating the standard brasserie to feel more like an upscale dining experience, Focus Lighting added spotlights for each table to create intimacy. The large decorative lamps provide warmth at individual tables. A gorgeous barrel vault ceiling makes the space feel older. Small tracks highlight the edges of the mirrors to provide depth and interest. With decorative fixtures sourced from China, Lucent and RSA downlights, Litelab socket strip, and Tokistar units used, great skill was required to coordinate diverse elements and in a brand new space.

The result is certainly part of the next wave in hospitality design, offering patrons all the luxuries they can imagine and the opportunity to choose between distinct options in dining, entertainment, and accommodations.

Sanctuary Nightclub is an opulent night club space on a scale previously unseen in Dubai. Operated by Buddha Bar, the club sets a new standard in nightlife, beginning with the grand stairs lit entirely by large scale color changing panels, bathing guests in a subtle warm glow to prepare them for the night ahead. Once in the queuing area, the guests move through a series of interactive water projections and are led into the club by the curving walls and sweeps of light. A fog screen with projections greets patrons at the entrance, revealing the lounge, dominated by the domes creating a starry night effect. Guests can either relax in the cabanas on the terrace surrounded by warm incandescent light, or enjoy a drink at the projection covered bar top, which reveals a glimpse of the club through the rotating bottle displays.

Once the club opens, patrons are treated to performances by dancers on a catwalk high above them, highlighted by video projections on all the walls and the central dance floor dome. Large lit arches define the VIP areas, and create a beautiful contrast to all of the kinetic theatrical lighting on the dance floor. A custom color changing crystal pendant is the central feature of the VIP dance floor. The projections onto the dancers, walls and floor are controlled by a lighting jockey to create a constantly changing immersive environment to complement the DJ’s selections.

Architects: WATG (exterior), Olio (Dig Interiors), EDSA – landscape design, Jeffrey Beers (Rostang Brasserie, Rondo Locatelli aka Pizza Souk)
Photographer: JR Krauza, Courtesy of Kerzner