Published on: March 12, 2009

One of the worlds leading Lighting Architects have sent us their project Dodler Grand Hotel in Switzerland. It embodies flickerous glamour as well as soothness of  intimacy in quiet ambiance.

Here is what Speirs and Major Associates have to say about their project:

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Housed in a building that is part medieval fortress, part Renaissance chateau and part 19th-century palace, the Dolder Grand is one of Switzerland’s best-known hotels. The lighting design was all-encompassing, ranging from primary areas of the exterior to all elements of the interior including ballroom, grand suites and spa. Working with a multi-headed design team with complex overlapping responsibilities, it was important to balance a series of criteria.

Externally, a central concern was sensitivity to a historic building, to local conservationists and to neighbouring residents. It was also essential to heighten the ambiance of five-star-plus luxury, but to achieve that with a uniquely Swiss sensibility. Internally, balancing the old and new architecture was vital, but complicated by the fact that in several areas parts of the original architecture had to be protected, including hand-painted ceilings which could not be penetrated or fixed to. A further challenge was integrating artificial light with wildly differing daylight conditions.

The double-height space of the Bar is reached from the upper level. There an installation of more than 80 custom-made Swarovski ‘floating’ candles stand out dramatically against black and beaded curtain backcloths. The curved, metal-bead curtain is also carefully and discreetly washed to add a sense of focus to the rear of the bar, acting as a screen as guests descend the grand staircase.

The spa was a major project in its own right. The heavily textured stone wall wraps from the exterior through to the interior and is washed with light from a ceiling slot to accentuate its textural quality. The stone walls narrow and spiral to a zen-like meditation space, passing by reception and café environments. The artificial lighting smoothly changes from cool daylight to warm ‘candlelight’ as dusk arrives.

Special credit goes to the photographer Peter Hebeisen. More information about his work can be found at:

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