There’s nothing to rival the powdery-white beaches and coral waters of The Maldives, so we seized the opportunity to design a lighting scheme for RAAYA by Atmosphere, a private resort situated in Raa Atoll.
Brought to life by Panchshil Realty and the creative team at Dar & Wagh, the 5-star retreat features an elegant but understated design scheme to complement the natural beauty of the island. Clean architectural lines and expansive spaces blend seamlessly with the landscape, so we carefully integrated light to enhance the visual aesthetic.
As guests enter the resort following a picturesque seaplane journey, maintaining a sense of arrival was fundamental to the design. In the main lobby this is manifest through a dramatic architectural ceiling, featuring concealed lines of illumination at the apex that wash light onto the rich texture of the wood. The ceiling sets the tone in a space where small but impactful details matter. An illuminated bird playfully references the tropical forests of the island, and a backlit step becomes a gentle wayfinding cue.
In the Raaya Life Food Gallery, where an open kitchen becomes a stage under the angular lines of a slatted wood panel ceiling, our lighting design is at heart of the action. Vertical illumination accentuates the cane surfaces above the food station, filtering light through the material to enhance its texture. Integrated joinery lighting makes the food station come alive, and hidden projectors in the ceiling slats form an enveloping layer of light around diners.
The Ampersand sunset bar draws a crowd in the evening, so our goal here was to dial up the atmosphere while preserving the sightlines. Minimalist spotlights cast ambient light onto the tables, and indirect illumination along the joinery and bar counter emits a warm glow. We then concealed minimalist light sources in the architectural columns to create a rhythmic flow of light where the exterior and interior seating meet – the final effect is mood-enhancing and provides the perfect backdrop for that picture-perfect sundowner moment.
Images © Muha Photos
Developer: Panchshil Realty
Designer: Dar & Wagh
— Youssef Chmeit
