How important is exterior lighting as part of
your architectural concept?
We consider natural and artificial lighting
right at the start of our design process. For
hospitality projects, exterior lighting not
only enhances the building’s aesthetics
after dark, but it also provides way finding
for guests and staff. When designing ho-
tels with outdoor elements such as rooftop
bars, outdoor pools and fire pits – all very
popular in the Middle East and Asia – exte-
rior lighting extends these spaces functiona-
lity after dark and helps create a desirable
ambience.
Do you agree that the outdoor lighting design at
first needs to be utilitarian?
With all aspects of architecture, interior
architecture and interior design, their functio-
nality 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 li-
ghting 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 am-
bience and add to the desired atmosphere of
the residential property, a boutique hotel, or a
bar and a restaurant.
Besides the personal relationships, does your ap-
proach 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?
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 inte-
riors, which are locally responsive and sen-
sitively interact with the natural environment
and traditions. Whilst our approach remains
the same – fostering contextual modernism
across the globe and creating locally rele-
vant 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
‘destination 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
intervention in the vast, desert environment.
What inspires you?
With studios based in both Dubai and now
London, working internationally really inspires
me. Being immersed into different cultures,
learning their traditions and vernaculars
and studying the geographical and climatic
context all influences our work as a design
practice. Travel facilitates a physical exchan-
ge of ideas, and I love to embrace both
global and local perspectives when resear-
ching 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 re-
fer 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 refine-
ment of handmade and bespoke qualities. I
am passionate and our practice is passiona-
te 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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