The week that was 27-31 July

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The week that was 27-31 July

Europe, weekend 1-2^nd August 2015

Monday 27^th July, Ubud-Bali – Land of dreams
Before I start my well-deserved annual leave I still have two key site visits to attend, two new clients who have put their trust in our services, clients who promptly paid the appointment fees. Starting on a good footing is critical for the success of the project when clients put their faith in you and hence I had no hesitation to delay my leave and reschedule to attend these important kick off meetings. I arrived yesterday and today, with the full consultant’s team and owners present, we presented our concepts and walked the site, area by area.

The site is a land of dreams, nestled on the steep slopes of Ubud with the sound of water(falls) and the chirping birds and crickets in the background. Typical Balinese rice fields adorn the frontage of the property. This high end boutique resort will be one for the “rich and famous” tucked away with a very high degree of privacy. Our lighting concept, which follows and integrates with the architects, interior designers and landscape consultants, will be one of contained and controlled effects, softly enhancing and integrating with its environment. It’s there without being to obvious, focussing on the architectural and landscape features instead. The serenity of the location will be reflected in our approach… a little Garden of Eden on earth…

Tuesday 28^th July, transit Singapore – Last minute preparations…
Today I am literally in transit in Singapore, back from Bali and on my way to Istanbul tonight. I use the time to write my site report following yesterday’s site meetings and brief my team on the follow up required as I will be away over the next few weeks. Some other project matters that need my input before I go are attended to, but otherwise it’s mostly last minute preparations in getting ready for my Istanbul project presentation and packing for the long break ahead.

Wednesday 29thth July, Istanbul – Turkey – Island of dreams
After the land of dreams in Ubud earlier this week, I have now arrived on the Island of dreams, a small little island about a 45 min boat ride out of Istanbul that oozes a tranquility and serenity of a totally different type; back in time. There are no cars on the island bar some for necessary utility and services, all transportation is done by horse carriages or bikes. Many buildings have a distinctive period style and date back from early last century at least. Architecture is an elaborate mix of Ottoman, Asian and western elements. The hotel we are staying aptly called the Splendid Palace, just a stone throw away from our project site reminds us of the Grand Budapest Hotel.

The site is a large plot of land along the sea with the buildings layered in two crescents up the hill with a Grand Mansion as the resorts centre piece. The resort aims to be an unique experience with everything from product to services reflecting style, quality and uniqueness…an experience you are not likely to forget. Not surprisingly the lighting design will be bespoke and tailored to provide and enhance the uniqueness of the site and its peculiar buildings. We have come in to replace a previous lighting designer which means we have inherited parts of some existing concepts which we will review and remodel to clients satisfaction while adding in our own touch of lighting flair for all new areas yet to be completed. The first day on site was a hot affair with temperatures soaring to well over 40 degree Celsius…but somehow because of the majestic views and the excitement of the project we hardly noticed…

Thursday 30^th July, Istanbul – Turkey – Bespoke lighting design
It is clear that this project will be anything but an ordinary run of the mill hotel resort. For starters there will be no down lights and no (ceiling) cove lighting which means creative ways will need to be found to create lighting effects commensurate with the intended unique blend of East meets West in a residential cosy home style setting. We easily get routed in typical standard solutions, generally commercially driven. Most hotel operators have tied themselves down with design manuals that typically lays down what is to be designed and how with the idea that this will then reflect the hotel branding and image. In the process there is little room for improvisation and creativity… often creating a “drawer” concept in the process. With this I mean that you take previously proven lighting concepts and reproduce them within the new projects architectural limits.

This projects aims to be totally different and hence the intensive design workshops between the project’ team aims to find the bespoke opportunities within the boundaries of what is physically and economically possible, preferably something that was not done before or a great and successful concept but now applied in a totally different way. I personally rejoice in head to head design meetings. Most good designs are achieved when the top experts of each disciplines cross swords with their ideas and creative inputs, specifically when passion gets involved! We have just started but I am enjoying this project already, not in the least because there is tremendous respect for each other’s expertise.

Friday 31^st July, Istanbul – Turkey – The Ottoman empire…
My final morning is spent going through some areas such as the ballroom and the speciality restaurant. We each pitch in with our thoughts and specific requirements standing our grounds or compromising where it makes sense for the benefit of the project. We are “rudely” interrupted when told that my boat ride has arrived and after warm goodbyes I am on my way for the ride across the Bosporus to a marina close to the airport. After a short taxi ride we arrive at the airport where we await our flight in the award winning Turkish Airlines lounge designed by ID firm Autoban. This is an experience not to be missed. I have travelled around the world but this is certainly one of the top lounges in the world with a distinctive “Ottoman” look. The Turkish design group left no stone unturned in this stunning design and even if I only saw the lounge during the day I could envisage it’s lighting by night easily…a great and inspiring end to this trip.

I am now on leave for the next 4 weeks but will endeavour to capture some light magic during my stay in France and upload these mood images once in a while to keep in touch…see you on the other side. For now I enjoy the good side of life 🙂