At the end of 2024 were presented the winners of the international LIT Awards in the field of lighting. Based on the results of the projects highlighted by the international jury, we would like to pay attention to some of them, noting the lighting solutions for these hotels. The field of hospitality generates actual requirements that must meet the needs of guests and hotel employees. And lighting is one of the important components that can help to make the place of temporary stay even more attractive and comfortable.
There are 5 hotels as an example for different approaches to hotel lighting design below:
1 – Hotel Le Dix - Paris / France
Photo: Flavio Francesco Dario / Julien Mouffron Gardner
Le Dix Hotel in Paris offers its guests an unforgettable sensory journey combined with ultra-innovative technologies. The hotel's interior is a world of modern luxury, discreet beauty hiding advanced technologies, filled with soft natural materials, curved lines and copper accents. The lighting solution should help create an atmosphere in which guests will feel in harmony with their lifestyle and aspirations. Thanks to the automation system, the lighting reacts to the movements of a person, following them as they move from room to room, and also takes into account the natural light penetrating the interior, thus increasing or decreasing the luminous flux.
The soft lines of the architectural and design solutions in the rooms are emphasized by warm hidden light, which is complemented by light accents of minimalist spotlights. The atmosphere of luxury is supported by designer lighting fixtures, which can be seen both in the rooms and public spaces. The pendant luminaries, reminiscent of translucent sweet candies, looks especially impressive in the stairwell opposite the stained glass.
From the outside, the volume of the building interacts with the silhouette of the brightly lit Eiffel Tower located nearby. To illuminate the building, visually relating the viewer to the classics (with pilasters, balconies and other decor), neon light is used, repeating the elegant shape of the tower. In addition, a subtle halo of light magically appears, emphasizing architectural details and moldings, thanks to a gobo accessory developed specifically for the project.
The lighting design of the Le Dix hotel follows current environmental principles, therefore adaptive, energy-efficient technologies are used, for example, motion and light sensors, which reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
2 – Hotel WNDR - Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province / China
Photo: Fei Yan
WNDR HOTEL is the third original hotel brand launched by Liangrang Hotel Management Group after Liangrang Hotel and Rangju VILLA Hotel. WNDR is an abbreviation of WONDER/WONDERFUL, meaning wonder, miracle, perfection. The design concept of the hotel aims to break the traditional boundaries of hotel design and build a new one based on 4 key elements: light and shadow, fashion art, young generation and public space. WNDR is not just a place to stay, but also a place filled with a creative atmosphere that fills the public space. This solution allows guests to enjoy a comfortable stay while participating in rich cultural activities.
The lighting design solution in this project acts as an artistic tool that takes nature as a basis - the sea and forest are integrated into the space through light and shadow, as well as color shades. The most outstanding was the light work of art "Life" in the three-story atrium. Special luminaries with hemispheres that form clear circles on the surfaces transform the architectural space into a single living being, with its own clear rhythm and at the same time soft light, spreading throughout the entire space. The hotel actively uses colored light, as well as neon, creating a youthful fashionable atmosphere, going beyond the traditional hotel space.
Bold lighting solutions allowed us to create a unique atmosphere and create an impressive art space based on simple architectural forms.
3 – Hotel The W Hotel Budapest - Budapest, Hungary
Photo: Marriot W Budapest
Located in the historic Drechsler Palace, The W Hotel Budapest combines history and modern luxury. The hotel's interior metaphorically recreates the rhythms of classical ballet with its dance, glitter, light and color. The interior design is based on modern arabesque geometry, creating contrasts between elegance and harshness, classic and avant-garde.
The lighting design solution reinforces the perception of the classics and pays homage to the place, while adding freshness and relevance through modern LED light fixtures seamlessly integrated into the architecture. Lighting does not dominate the interior, giving the main role to the architecture and design. The lighting creates a comfortable lighting environment that provides a natural duality of perception of architectural heritage and modernity, giving the hotel a unique personality.
Lighting design solutions in common areas, rooms and spas are designed to emphasize the true essence of a place. Lighting scenarios have been developed for each type of space in order to create a special atmosphere of comfort and sophistication. For example, for one of the main staircases, a chandelier was specially designed with a musical score as its inspiration.
4 - Rez Hotel Semarang - Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia
Photo: Indra Wiras
The Rez Hotel is essentially a tall rectangular black and white "box" that stands out in the city, contrasting with the surrounding buildings. The interior is also made monochrome to enhance the contrasts, like in nature - light and darkness. Lighting designers sought to create a kind of light balance both in the interior solutions and for the facade, illuminated at night.
To create the desired effect, lighting designers used simple lighting fixtures to create an organic integration, finding the optimal balance: light and shadow, smooth and textured, simple and patterned. Each space in the hotel is designed with a different level of contrast.
The laconic facade is emphasized by local gradient lighting, which is complemented by a special light and shadow pattern. To achieve the desired contrast, the authors placed a compact luminary behind the perforated cover of the air conditioner on the balcony. This simple solution allowed to create unusual lighting effects that became the decoration of the facade. Small directional light fixtures installed in a circle shape are used to illuminate the spiral staircase of the lobby. The directional light fixtures visually merge with the elements of the staircase and provide the necessary illumination.
Both externally and in the rooms, a common geometric technique is used - a system of dark profiles placed in contrast to the light finish of the wall and ceiling materials. This system creates an additional contrast with light, giving dynamics and volume to the space through small accents and illumination of planes.
5 - Landison Tianlan Hotel – Dongyang, China
Photo: Landison Tianlan Hotel Dongyang
Tianlan Radisson Hotel is located in Dongyang, one of the fast-growing cities famous for its traditional Chinese art - wood carving. The laconic architecture of the building is emphasized by lighting at night, revealing the characteristic structure of the blocks. Thanks to the niches on the facade, the spotlights do not fall into the windows of the rooms, and at the same time create a recognizable appearance. Warm light, revealing the architectural elements of the facade, appears as a tool for an art object, only the carving is carried out by light on the facade. Facade lighting creates an attractive and cozy external image.
The interior lighting solutions focus on the quality of lighting, enhancing the local philosophy of life, which combines oriental aesthetics with modern architecture. The entrance area uses warm white light, as if inviting you to come inside; integrated and discreet lighting fixtures fill the space with light, creating a complete sense of oriental Zen.
The collaboration between the architect and the lighting designer to create a balanced lighting design solution for the interiors and exteriors has created a unique evening image of the building. This new design hotel has already become the most popular in Dongyang. It combines Chinese aesthetics and philosophy with a new elegant artistic lifestyle.
