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Project: In Arabic, the word ‘saadiyat’ means ‘beautiful’. Such is the ambition of developers TDIC of this particular island in Abu Dhabi that the great and good of architecture and design have been invited to realise a variety of cultural and leisure projects including Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry, Tadao Ando and Jean Nouvel to name but a few. Light Bureau’s lighting design sits at the heart of the development, complimenting a Gary Player designed golf course.
The new Saddiyat Island golf club is yet to open, and until then the Golf Academy building will serve as its temporary base. Designed in the style of a Mediterranean villa, in reality, the Academy building is larger than most of the clubs golfers will be used to, housing a bar and library, the Academy also boasts a restaurant and gymnasium.
Working in conjunction with the architects – Holford Associates, Light Bureau’s remit was to provide lighting design services to the interior spaces and also the façade. Landscape and outlying structures were realised by the US landscape architect Todd Bennett Associates. Internally, the bar and restaurant areas were designed by Woods Bagot.
Terraces provide external dining spaces and Light Bureau were determined to produce a lighting design solution that enhanced the building without sacrificing user comfort; glare had to be avoided at all costs. The operators, Troon Golf, have much experience of lighting schemes which place short term feature ahead of long term practicality. Again, Light Bureau were at pains to realise a scheme with longevity, which looks as good several years after completion as on day one. All façade luminaires utilize long life, low energy lamps with linear warm colour temperature T5 linear fluorescent lamps top the main elevations for a gentle wash of light with details and texture picked out in high quality, warm LED sources. The impression of the building at night is quietly impressive. The appearance of a warm and understated façade scheme with concealed light sources welcomes the visitor and creates a sense of the sophisticated greeting to come.
Client: TDIC