Siddharth Mathur – Director of Studio Lumen
At Studio Lumen we are incredibly proud to create award-winning designs for our clients. Each project is a testament to our unwavering dedication to creating not just beautiful lighting solutions, but immersive experiences.
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. It is a paradisematic country, in which roasted parts of sentences fly into your mouth.
Our approach to design makes the difference to a project standing out, winning awards, and creating a long-lasting impression. We focus on originality, aesthetic quality, technical expertise, and a collaborative approach for each of our designs.
These crucial elements to our design process have proven a success, as seen in our award-winning scheme for 7 Tales, a Japanese-inspired bar that boasts exhilarating views of the Dubai Marina and city skyline from the 44th floor of the Grosvenor House Hotel in Dubai. 7 Tales packs into one location a vibrant bar, lounge and DJ corner with a dance floor and a mini-games corner in a small space in a coherent manner. Lighting provides each space with its own distinct identity yet combines them cohesively and seamlessly.
Our commitment to originality and authenticity played a significant role in capturing the essence of Tokyo for this new bar concept. With dynamic colours and strong, yet warm, accents, which complement the dynamic colours of the murals, neon signs and other architectural features, this is the perfect transportive experience of the busy Tokyo streets.
We ensured that through the lighting design there was the opportunity to showcase the unique experience of the city’s newest speakeasy bar on the after-dark scene. The key to the lighting was to identify the authentic elements that transported guests to the cultural location of the space. The clever use of neon doubles up as a colour dynamic technique and is aesthetically reminiscent of Tokyo streets. Adorned with hand-painted murals on the ceilings and walls you’re fully immersed in a Japanese-inspired work of art. Alongside the breathtaking artwork are neon signs that provide a statement fluorescent glow, bringing life to the 1960s-themed vibrant Tokyo space.
The combination of contemporary Japanese design elements and modern lighting techniques was an important factor in achieving aesthetic quality, transporting patrons into a realistic world and enhancing their overall experience, making it truly memorable. The use of light and shade contributed to soft, diffused lighting to evoke a tranquil and serene feel in the traditional seating areas while employing dynamic lighting, colours and patterns to reflect the energy of bustling, modern Japan within the sultry bar setting. Every aspect of the lighting design was meticulously planned, from highlighting the intricate patterns that adorn the ceilings to the delicate table lighting. The attention to detail elevates the space to a level of sophistication beyond typical lighting projects, with the perceptive lighting approach providing the opportunity to take advantage of the bright views of the Dubai Marina.
Through our technical expertise we ensured that accent ratios of 1:5 are maintained for dramatic accents that help delineate activities within the open-plan spaces and neon downlights that blend in with the mural ceiling. LED strip lights that are integrated and remain invisible, and decorative lighting including the use of tea candles, set a relaxed ambience. Seamless lighting controls ensure a zen-like calm which reaches a crescendo by nightfall that is reminiscent of the busy Tokyo nightlife. Lighting plays a significant role in creating this transition seamlessly by carefully orchestrating changes in lighting elements to evoke the desired atmosphere, hour by hour, minute by minute.
We are proud to implement a collaborative approach with other key stakeholders on each project, including interior design teams, architects, and contractors. We worked closely throughout this project with the core interior design team from LW, to achieve the balance required to accent the splendour of the location and to provide the right navigation throughout the different locations, all with functionality, flexibility, and energy efficiency at the forefront of our minds. We used our expertise to select lighting fixtures, colours and intensity that aligned with Japanese aesthetics, warm tones with a splash of colour and subtle variations.
Lighting played a hugely important role in adding a successful vibrant atmosphere to the venue, putting it on the map as a standout hotspot in Dubai. We are thrilled to have successfully executed the extension of the theme that the operator and designers set out to create, establishing a distinct and memorable experience that transports guests from Dubai to the vibrant Tokyo streets.
Lighting design doesn’t just illuminate space, it transforms it into an immersive, dynamic and unforgettable environment. Projects like this set a new standard for proficiency by pushing the boundaries of what lighting can achieve in terms of aesthetics, functionality and emotional impact.
