East and Asia – exterior lighting extends
these spaces functionality after dark and
helps create a desirable ambience.
DL
Do you agree that the outdoor
lighting design at first needs
to be utilitarian?
JA
With all aspects of architecture,
interior architecture and interior design, their
functionality has to be considered first, to
ensure that buildings and spaces can serve
their purpose well. It means considering
if the outdoor lighting can withstand the
weather conditions, how it’s operated and
what lighting controls are implemented for
the ease of use. Creating solutions which are
solely utilitarian is not sufficient though – at
the same time, the outdoor lighting schemes
we commission have to create the right
ambience and add to the desired atmosphere
of the residential property, a boutique hotel,
or a bar and a restaurant.
DL
Besides the personal relationships,
does your approach and choices
differ from one country to the
other? For example, how big is the
role of climate, culture and other
local elements in your architecture?
JA
Climate, culture and other local
elements are the cornerstones on which the
design of buildings and spaces we create is
based. Understanding the local context is
essential to creating ‘of place’ architecture
and interiors, which are locally responsive
and sensitively interact with the natural envi-
ronment and traditions. Whilst our approach
remains the same – fostering contextual mo-
dernism across the globe and creating locally
relevant contemporary buildings; our choices
of materials, spatial layouts and the teams we
put together on each project vary from region
to region, so that we bring together local
expertise and international know-how to
create unique and progressive pieces of ‘desti-
nation architecture’ . Name one project – by
yourself or another architect – where you
feel that architecture, landscape and exterior
lighting merge perfectly As per above –
The Al Faya Lodge Retreat & Spa, set in the
desert landscape of the Sharjah emirate in
the UAE, is a great example of architecture,
landscape and exterior lighting working to-
gether seamlessly to create a unique piece of
modernist architecture and a dynamic inter-
vention in the vast, desert environment.
DL
What inspires you?
JA
With studios based in both Dubai
and now London, working internationally
really inspires me. Being immersed into dif-
ferent cultures, learning their traditions and
vernaculars and studying the geographical
and climatic context all influences our work
as a design practice. Travel facilitates a physi-
cal exchange of ideas, and I love to embrace
both global and local perspectives when rese-
arching new projects, this duality helps us as a
practice to create contemporary architecture
and interiors that are relevant to society, cul-
ture and context, adding a new progressive
layer to the built environment and an
international perspective which we like to
refer to as a ‘Contextual Modernist’ approach
to our work. Our work at ANARCHITECT
is also inspired by detail, craft and materiality
throughout each project. We embrace craft-
smanship and are now exploring the integra-
tion of new technologies that are relevant and
non- intrusive without losing the refinement
of handmade and bespoke qualities. I am
passionate and our practice is passionate
about creating architecture that is rich in
detail, material and responsive to place and
function, the pursuit of which inspires us all
as a professional team.
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