Prize(s) Winners in Hospitality Lighting Design
Lighting Design/Product Company Delta Lighting Design
Lead Designers Ziad Fattouh
Other Designer's names Mohamed Medani
Architecture Company Oppenheim Architecture
Interior Design Company Studio Paulo Ferrari
Client Red Sea Global
Photo Credits Alex Jeffries, Red Sea Global
Other Credits Landscape Design: !Melk
Completion Date January 2025
Project Location Saudi Arabia
Entry DescriptionLocated in a hidden valley in western Saudi Arabia, the Desert Rock Resort is a one-of-a-kind retreat, fully owned and operated by Red Sea Global. It stands out for its complex design, where architecture seamlessly merges with the mountain, and guestrooms are carved directly from the rock.
Designed to reveal, not dominate, artificial light draws attention to the natural stone embedded in architecture. Soft pools of light are reflected by sandy finishes, animating the buildings’ cores and tracing their cave-inspired, sculptural shapes. Light is layered under eye level, washing the solid surfaces from below, while keeping ceilings clean.
Lighting design enhances the contrast between interiors and exteriors, magnifying the depth of perception within the facades. Interior lighting glows from within, turning buildings into large-scale lanterns nested among mountain peaks.
Bespoke decorative lanterns are introduced on terraces, and their warm glow meets cool shimmers of pool lighting which, under the desert breeze, cast ripples across the stone walls, in a striking interplay of colour and movement.
The nighttime atmosphere of intentional restraint focuses on uninterrupted views towards the open landscapes. At Desert Rock, every light source is soft, shielded, and purposeful. Stone becomes luminous and stars shine freely, inviting guests to embrace an authentic dark sky experience.
Sustainability ApproachThe Resort targeted 2 major sustainability goals for lighting design: Dark Sky Protection and LEED Certification.
Dark sky protection is acheieved through:
- distribution of light points, with light located only where necessary
- buildup of lighting details, with concealed light sources and integrated fittings
- selection of lighting equipment, with strict downwards distribution and controlled optics
- use of anti-glare shields, snoots, and locking mechanisms, eliminating upwards spill
- specifying warm CCT to protect wildlife and promote human wellbeing
- integration of smart control systems for outdoor lighting, which is environmentally friendly and technologically advanced, adapting to seasonal changes and reducing light pollution.
The project achieved LEED Platinum: light pollution reduction (1c), energy performance (prereq), interior lighting (1c).
Company DescriptionAt Delta Lighting Design we are a team of design professionals with diverse perspectives from across the world who believe light has the power to shape everyday experiences. Our focus in on the artistry of light and its emerging and evolving technologies, and we strive to create exceptional lighting designs and solutions that are distinctively crafted for each project.
