One of the country’s finest hotels, the Al Bustan is a jewel of Lebanese hospitality.The latest addition to this iconic building was a hammam and spa center built through collaboration between the Italian architect Lazzarini Pickering and the Lebanese architect Antoine Maamari, with CAT Group as project managers. A 200-year-old Lebanese stone house has been restored and rebuilt into this unique facility with a classical Lebanese touch.
Acting as lighting consultants, Lumiere Studio focused on visual comfort, vertical illuminance, contrast, ambient light, accent light, shadows and emotional light to blend the lighting into the structural design; after all, light is the 4th dimension of architecture. Playing on soft glows and tones that fill the center with a warm and soothing ambient light, the design made sure to enhance the environment in subtle ways, complementing the surrounding décor and even the natural light in order to create an ensemble that feels harmonious. Using discreet lighting for intimate spaces and generously lit setups for wider common areas, they brought out the spa’s unique blend of cutting-edge trendiness and timeless charm across every section.
Lumiere Studio recommended the grazing light instead of wallwashing for the façade in order to bring out the material nature and texture of the 3D stone, as grazing creates shadows that enhance the human eye’s perception of 3D. In the corridors, which were narrow with a high ceiling, they recommended an oval flood effect in order to showcase the whole volume. The smart selection of beam/light output reduced the quantity of luminaires while giving the impression of more brightness.
In the pool area, wallwashers were used to emphasize the beauty of the curved ceiling and the walls. The luminaires were selected very carefully, taking in consideration high performance and excellent visual comfort to reduce glare. In the staircase, the luminaires were selected in a way to create a contrast of light and shadow, plunging visitors into an inspiring atmosphere. Integrated into the architecture, the lighting follows every curve and corner, winding its way across the hammam and spa with seamless flexibility.
The natural tones of the lights reflect the colors of the stones and tiles, evoking earth, water and sky in yellow, white and blue. This interplay ties together the whole mood of the center, bringing its exceptional character as a haven of tranquility and relaxation to life. The luxury and comfort of the Al Bustan spa center shines through with this comprehensive lighting design, showcasing a level of flexibility and personalization that defines the Lumiere Group name.