Prize(s) Winners in Hospitality Lighting Design
Lighting Design/Product Company 18Fifty
Lead Designers Evina Diamantara
Architecture Company OIR
Interior Design Company MBDS
Client Caprice Holdings
Photo Credits Chris Goldstraw
Completion Date 10/04/2025
Project Location Dubai, UAE
Entry DescriptionThe lighting design approach is tailored to highlight the venue's intricate details and artwork pieces whilst creating a unique dining experience.
Entering, guests are immersed in a mosaic ocean dream with underwater creatures being emphasized by a soft lighting graze.
Journey continues on the 11th floor, with a sculptural coral wall and the curves of Damien Hirst's suspended octopus sculpture, emerging from its cave, setting a theatrical tone. Goal was for the lighting to complement the complexity and textures of each individual artistic element. Drama is an essential aspect to create an indelible impression.
In the dining area, the illuminated agate floor gives a soft glow with mid space being dominated by the backlit golden onyx bar. Throughout the restaurant, sculpted Murano glass columns, resembling octopus tentacles, are backlit with RGBW LED fixtures that create pulsating intricate patterns during partying hours.
One of the main art legacy pieces, the embossed Damien Hirst relief is accentuated with spotlights during daytime and then transforms into a live canvass with projection mapping during dinner time.
From concept to realisation, every lighting aspect has been studied, mocked up, tested with a precise approach. One of the most important aspect to achieve a striking visual result has been the focusing phase that lasted several weeks.
Sustainability ApproachIn a theatrical restaurant such as Sexy Fish sustainability is a very hard task. For the most dominant element that is the backlit floor, we worked with the manufacturer to restrict the energy consumption whilst preserving the luminance desired.
All luminaires utilised throughout the project were specified according to the brightness required rather than one-fits-all solution.
All light sources are efficient, dimmable LED fixtures and they are controlled by a Lutron control system.
Timers have been set throughout the day and the elements that are not required during non-operational hours are completely switched off to minimize energy consumption and maximise LED life.
