cocteau is an upscale restaurant with a particularly lavish interior. the lighting was designed so it compliments the architect’s concept; integrating the correct color temperature along with the correct power output drew upon the architecture of the design. to add flow to the differently heighted wooden cladding, LED strips were integrated within to give warmth to the vast interior, creating an intended sense of synergy.

jean cocteau’s works are distributed onto a bookshelf inspired luminaire which is lit using invisible LED strips. this falls perfectly within the modernist interior of the restaurant.

to provide an ambient light, ceiling mounted rectangular boxes are lit with fluorescent lamps. however, to accentuate the lighting of the dining area, directional spotlights are installed.

the lighting scheme is designed and installed so as to provide each area with the intensity of lighting needed, intentionally allowing some spaces to remain in relative darkness.

al sultan brahim is a lebanese seafood restaurant with a widely pleasant, profoundly timeless and highly comfortable design. the lighting is a mix between suspended lighting and recessed spotlights and LEDs, integrated in the curved back wall and ceiling. the main lighting attraction are the chandeliers, custom made with overlapping brass plates with a bronze finish with integrated led lighting. suspended within the space, they break up the height of the room and increase the sense of intimacy. neutral white led strips concealed on the lower part of the chandeliers were chosen to complement daylight. the shadow effect these suspensions have on the ceiling and walls is both dramatic and atmospheric.

the exterior visual barrier of fish flying in space, besides being visually appealing, works through an effect of light on the polished stainless steel (sun during the day and spotlights during the night) as a visual barrier between the restaurant and the surrounding spaces.

The challenge with this project, a vacation chalet located in faqra, lebanon, was to ensure minimal impact of the lighting on the architecture. This limited site is designed and controlled with a series of manipulations to blur all boundaries between the site and the horizon.

Matching color temperatures enhances the blending of elements with the surrounding and helps give identity to that space by its color tone. The magnificent pool area has commanding views out to the surrounding mountains and has been lit by cool narrow beams while the sitting area and the fireplace were warmed up by halogen spots and linear leds.

The stepping stones were lit in a way that would give the illusion of floatiness, leading guests down to a bar area.

The residence, years onwards, is still serving it’s initial brief. The space is used for private reflection and to entertain friends and family.

The basic task here was to create an outdoor setting capable of hosting events for up to 300 people. The complications were the harsh desert climate and the timetable – six months from design to completion. all required functions, including an industrial kitchen, open bar, bathrooms, showers and changing rooms, are embedded within two limestone walls, between a series of linear gardens. Three finishing materials are used: travertine for all flooring and the swimming pool; nuala limestone for the walls of the 40-metre-long pergola; and teak wood for the shade structure.

The challenge in this project was to create a completely dynamic atmosphere. Using exterior lighting with fully hidden light sources, side by side to a customized animated color changing pool with fibre optic lighting.