Situated on a multifaceted retail site on Al Marina Island, Abu Dhabi, Marina Mall is transformed by Nulty’s lighting scheme for the newly refurbished luxury area into a luminous landmark.
Blending synonymously with the architecture, a dancing façade featuring dynamic lighting elevates the prominence of the building after dark and is supported by an elegant composition of light across the public spaces, designed to bring ambience, harmony and permeability to the experience.
The main focal point of the exterior lighting scheme is the front façade of the luxury entrance, where a rhythmic sequence of light draws the gaze to the triangular geometry of the architecture. Individually addressable LEDs were concealed within the perforated surface, then programmed to produce mesmerising visual display. The seamlessly integrated solution preserves the decorative language of the architecture during the daytime, then activates the façade as the entertainment areas and F&B outlets come to life.
At the entranceway to the mall, low-level lighting was used to reinforce a sense of warmth and sanctuary. Integrated linear profiles form a soft glow along the steps leading up to the threshold, turning both routes into an intuitive wayfinding solution. Subdued lighting was then placed around the perimeter of a decorative water feature, creating a dark pool that reflects the outline of the façade.
In the gardens surrounding the mall, the goal was to accent the hardscape elements to guide users through the space. Human-scale illumination, in the form of recessed wall lights and diffuse lines of light, provides directional lighting along the steps, and spike lights in trees and low-glare bollard and marker fixtures highlight the walkways.
Inside the mall, soft lines of light complement the luxurious material palette and provide ambient illumination along the circulation routes. The centrepiece of the scheme is the bespoke artwork piece that floats above the central atrium in the jewellery corridor. Here, architectural light was used to animate the feature and simulate the depth and movement of daylight. Projectors positioned in the skylight above the installation, bounce light onto the piece’s unfurling metallic leaves, and cast intricate patterns of light and shadow across the floor beneath.
Lighting Design: Nulty
Lighting Supplier & Photo Credit: Huda Lighting
