Prize(s) Honorable Mentions
Company Nulty
Lead Designers Amy Semple
Other Designer's names Daniel Blaker
Client 1508 London
Photo Credits Ihsan Salhia
Completion Date February 2023
Project Location Dubai, UAE
Entry DescriptionLocated at the top of the world’s tallest tower, At.mosphere at Burj Khalifa is one of Dubai’s most renowned fine dining experiences. The lighting design team created a composed but decorative lighting scheme that responds to the polished execution of the luxurious interiors and a need to preserve the views of the cityscape.
In the reception, minimalist downlights positioned sparingly across the ceiling provide a soft layer of ambient light and a stunning gold-embellished feature pendant infuses the space with drama.
The lighting design in the restaurant is restrained with theatrical touches. Cove illumination frames the ornate feature ceiling and emits a soft glow, while reeded glass ceiling lamps form a rhythmic play of light across the main dining area. The decorative luminaires used to illuminate the perimeter seating areas were scaled back to preserve the sight lines and reduce reflections in the windows. Battery-powered lamps are added to the tables to augment light levels and evoke a moodier atmosphere in the evening.
In the bar area, a crystal chandelier creates a playful air of shimmering light around the bar and an illuminated bar with backlit shelving and graze lighting beneath the counter adds a further element of scale and drama. Glass and gold luminaires above the seating area and were chosen to complement the reflective finishes and minimize glare.
Sustainability ApproachAll of the lighting within the scheme has a clear purpose. Light fittings were integrated where possible to minimise interventions from an architectural point of view.
The lighting control system has been designed to dim light levels at certain points in the day to save energy. LED light fittings were used throughout to keep energy consumption to a minimum.
The lighting has been designed to be flexible, which means that if alterations need to be made to the interior, the lighting design can be adapted to work in line with any changes. The team also focused on selecting high-quality, timeless light fixtures that will stand the test of time.
