Prize(s) Honorable Mentions
Company Nulty
Lead Designers Gary Thornton
Other Designer's names Slaney Cullen
Client The Waldorf Astoria
Photo Credits Courtesy of The Waldorf Astoria
Other Credits WATG, Wimberly Interiors, David Collins Studio, Pierre Yves-Rochon, TGP International
Completion Date November 2022
Project Location Lusail, Doha
Entry DescriptionThe outwardly simplistic lighting scheme for the Waldorf Astoria Lusail, Doha belies the complexity of the design response. The team considered the entire composition of light to maintain a beautiful and consistent quality of illumination throughout the resort, then added layers of light to give each individual space character and depth.
Façade illumination builds a sense of drama and discovery from the outset; bands of light follow the curves of the building to create a rhythmic flow of light and highlight the graceful form of the architecture. At landscape level, the team played with scale and intensity so high-level lighting emphasises dining terraces and swimming pools, while low-level illumination creates intimacy around seating areas and walkways.
The team brought the interior spaces to life by balancing indirect and direct light. In the all-day dining area, Peacock Alley, light was integrated into the curved contours of a peacock-inspired ceiling to create a stunning visual feature that elevates the dining experience to a whole new level. A playful approach to lighting magnifies the experience in the ESPA Life Spa where an illuminated archway greets guests and evokes a sense of arrival. In the men’s pool, a sparkling fibre optic ceiling adds an unexpected touch of drama creating the illusion guests are swimming beneath the stars.
Sustainability ApproachAll of the lighting solutions within the scheme have a clear purpose and were integrated where possible to minimise interventions from an architectural point of view. The team used low energy LED fitting and compact luminaires to ensure that the light fittings don’t detract from the overall finish. They also gave a lot of consideration to the control systems, so scene setting plays a fundamental role in how the lighting constantly evolves during the day and helps to reduce energy usage.
