The newly designed office space was reimagined by international design studio AAID and renowned creative studio Designlab Experience, who worked collaboratively to create an agile work environment that takes its cue from the heritage, culture, and landscape of Saudi Arabia. Studio N’s lighting solution helps to bring their vibrant design narrative to life by accentuating architectural focal points and drawing out the materiality of each individual area. The lighting design also plays a functional role, improving permeability and creating a sense of connectivity throughout the space.

One of the standout lighting elements of the scheme is a series of illuminated tunnels linking the different sections of the building. Lines of light frame the architectural fins in the walkways to create a continuous flow of light that changes the pace and heightens the experience. The effect is purposely immersive, helping to evoke a sense of discovery and pull occupants through to their destination.

The same approach of using light to emanate a feeling of motion is seen elsewhere in an access corridor, designed to emulate a valley situated between two mountains in the Jazan region. Here, illumination concealed in the ceiling grazes light onto the curved silhouettes of the sand-toned walls below. The technique serves two purposes, creating the illusion of fluidity and movement, while highlighting the textured detail of the walls.

An emphasis on warmth and conviviality defines the communal areas. In the VIP welcome area, visitors are greeted by a ceiling installation inspired by a desert rose native to Saudi Arabia. Illumination is intrinsic to the theatricality of the design; lines of light concealed within the multiple layers of petals highlight the three-dimensional composition of the feature and draw the eye to the central point of the feature where the layers dramatically intensify.

A similar example of how light and architecture work symbiotically to elevate the design is evident in the reception area but executed on a smaller scale. Diffuse lines of light highlight the contours of an artistic wall panel behind the desk that depicts the outline of buildings carved into the landscape. The effect is subtle yet beautifully realised, lending warmth to the sand-hued surface and depth to the overall design.

In the open-plan work areas, the lighting design works harmoniously with the graphic, red-toned flooring. The team integrated straight and curved profiles in the ceiling to animate the scheme, then added minimalist spotlights to augment light levels and provide a comfortable level of illumination above the individual work areas.

Daylight and biophilia were a key consideration throughout the project, so natural and artificial light levels had to be balanced in each space. In the light-filled atriums, this meant teaming minimalist step lighting with spike lighting in plantings to complement the natural light cascading though the windows during the day, then positioning uplights on the arches to form a gentle glow after dark.