Studio N’s lighting response reinforces an imaginative workplace aesthetic by international design practice AAID, which draws inspiration from Dubai’s Khor river to bring a layer of energy and vibrancy to the experience. Light is one of the driving forces of the scheme, helping to bring the creative narrative to life and prompt mood transitions as occupants move from place to place.

A ribbon of red embedded in the ceiling becomes the visual embodiment of the ebb and flow of the river and aids navigation by connecting the different sections of the workplace. Lighting design works in parallel with the energising swoop of colour and brings a sense of rhythm to the dramatic red motif. The team positioned surface-mounted spotlights along the trajectory of the recessed band to illuminate the entire expanse of the feature, and sourced adaptable fittings to allow the composition of light to be fully adjustable.

The synergy between colour and light continues in the communal spaces, encouraging interaction and elevating the mood. Each collaborative area is framed by a striking feature ceiling where illuminated red and neutral slats add a touch of theatre and textural interest to the space. Here, linear LED fixtures were integrated at intervals between the ceiling slats to add depth to the design, and to form a comfortable layer of ambient light above each casual seating area.

In the open-plan work zones, Tetris-style luminaires provide a visual break from the linear design narrative that dominates elsewhere. The criss-cross configuration of the fittings casts a distinctive pattern of light across the desks below, while the graphic nature of the design helps to mark out the area as a dedicated space for focused work.

Statement lighting also plays an important role in giving each meeting room its own identity. Curved and wave-effect luminaires bring an unexpected dimension of playfulness to the centre of the room, and at a higher level, minimalist downlights provide a gentle uniformity of light for video conferences and meetings.

A quieter mood plays out in the meeting booths and work pods. Diffuse lines of light were integrated into the ceiling to cocoon users in soft illumination. The injection of light from above also subtly draws out the patterned surfaces and saturated colour tones used to individualise each pod. The same emphasis on calm is evident in the kitchen, where bold profiles give way to flowing circles of light and decorative luminaires, and in the café, where white pendants lend a more domestic quality to the experience.