Illuminating Elegance and Nature

Illuminating Elegance and Nature

Along Meyer Road, sits a condominium development housing, which is adjacent to a one-hectare forested park. The development is laid out in a contiguous ‘C’ configuration with residences looking out onto a 50m by 75m internal forested garden that spills out onto the adjacent park.

When we took on this project, we had the idea of having light rays filter through the landscape so as to create pockets of illuminated spaces with ambient lighting to compliment the spaces and their surroundings. Through this lighting strategy, we aimed to create a harmonious coexistence that would delight residents and visitors alike by having the patterns of nature being reflected and portrayed through light and shadow play within the main development. This flow of light and shadow help to create a balance between the architecture itself and the enchanting tranquil gardenscape.

Focusing on the dialogue between architecture and nature, this modern luxurious architecture was designed by WOHA and landscape designing studio Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl. Their combined design elements provided many challenges, as well as opportunities, for us to integrate the lighting as seamlessly as possible. The integration of seamlessly blending the main development to the adjacent park was one of our key considerations – as both portions can be viewed together in totality, which will elevate the aesthetics and functionality of the space.

The challenges of the lighting design for this project include how to minimise direct lighting, by the detailing of indirect lighting for pathways from the kerbs and coves. We had extensively studied this challenge together with the architects and main contractors. We decide to use warm low-level lighting strategies to create a comfortable and welcoming ambience, while creating visual hierarchy and emphasis within the development — this would also ensure safety and visibility of wayfinding for residents and visitors.

The play and presence of light in the form of it being indirect, being ambient and yet staying hidden, while revealing forms, textures and layers

We also used the interplay of light and shadows to create an ethereal quality, evoking a sense of wonder for residents and visitors in the condominium site. By strategically installing discreet uplighters at the base of trees and shrubs, these lighting solutions help to add depth and texture to the landscape and surroundings. LED strips are also used at the pool areas, illuminating the sides of the pool, subtly accentuating the visual outline of the pool for visibility and safety.

Other key challenges also include the illumination of the stately façade of customized inclined louvres and paneling, which surrounds the entire form of the building, as well as the illumination of the drop-off within the car park at the basement. The lighting design for these areas aimed to complement and accentuate the architectural features of the building, by ensuring a cohesive visual experience, while allowing the development to stand out from the surrounding buildings.

As the featured louvres on the façade were constructed with different conditions, we have utilized linear LED strips and spotlights with optics on different planes to create an even wash behind – to ensure that the façade of the development is evenly washed despite the different mounting distance and fittings used. This has been carefully studied through digital simulation via dialux, to ensure that our lighting design works in accordance with our envisioned outcome.

Lighting up the basement drop-off was also a challenge, as we need to minimise direct lighting in this area. Uplighting using the coves with asymmetrical optical luminaires, the lighting source was kept out of sight through the detailing from architects at WOHA. Downlights are only used to accentuate a feature rock in the middle of the roundabout. The overall outcome was also simulated and planned to achieve the desired brightness.

The interplay of light and shadow has transformed this residence into an enchanting gardenscape, where architectural elegance and natural beauty coexist harmoniously. The accentuation of architectural features and the enhancement of the gardenscape creates an ambience that resonates with luxury and tranquility.

Client

Secure Venutre Development (No. 1)

Architect

WOHA Architects

Interior Designer

Yabu Pulshelberg/Index

Photography

N.D Photography

Location

128 Meyer Road, Singapore

Awards

• SIA Architectural Awards 2022 – Lighting Design
• Lit Awards 2022 – Best Residential Lighting

Project Category

Residential