Terrace • Ashjar E1, Ashjar, Al Barari, Dubai, UAE
An overhead light panel adjusts intensity based on natural light. Rotating spotlights sequentially highlight sculptural planters. A perforated metal screen with hidden backlighting creates dynamic city silhouettes.
Motion-activated linear floor lights guide movement through the space. Furniture textures interact distinctly with varied light types. A large, flat-weave rug grounds the main seating area.
Light actively shapes how this room is experienced.
Design Philosophy
This design uses light as a primary architectural element. Overhead washing light sets the ambient tone, adapting to natural conditions. Focused spotlighting emphasizes individual objects, creating a dynamic visual narrative. Backlighting transforms a city view into shifting silhouettes, guiding circulation through luminous paths.
Spatial Narrative
Your eye first catches the illuminated city beyond the perforated screen. Motion-activated floor lights then guide you towards the seating area. You settle into varied furniture textures, surrounded by light-voiced objects.
Light Study
Morning light filters through the overhead panel, maintaining a diffused glow. Evening light activates the hidden backlighting, casting dynamic city patterns. Spotlights rotate throughout the day, highlighting different planters.
Living Vignette
A quiet shift in a floor light traces your steps to a favored armchair. The spotlight then gently moves to illuminate a particular plant, making it stand out.
Material Palette
Translucent etched acrylic: Smooth to the touch, it diffuses light evenly and resists yellowing over time.
Powder-coated aluminum: Feels sleek and cool, it maintains its uniform finish and structural integrity with age.
Perforated architectural metal: Presents a cool, structured surface that develops a subtle patina over many years.
Polished concrete: Feels solid and cool underfoot, it gains character and a deeper sheen as it wears.
Mixed natural fibers and smooth synthetics: Natural fibers offer a soft, textured feel that softens over time, while synthetics stay smooth and resilient for years.
