Sans Souci, leading designer and producer of glass and lighting installations, has unveiled its latest portfolio with an ambitious new direction for the brand. The new design concept is focused on finding the beauty and innovation between contrasting perspectives, which was the inspiration behind an impressive 15 new collections that will be launched as part of the 2023 Milan Design Week.
The new collections are the culmination an important creative journey for Sans Souci, which has experienced significant growth globally in recent years. Some of the most exciting new designs are collaborations with respected designers Karim Rashid and William Sawaya.
William Sawaya’s BRANCHY collection is sleek and artistic, inspired by the natural world. Long crystal tubes in sandblasted, clear and metallic finishes are fitted together with metal bindings. Each component has a LED light source running through it, allowing the installation to produce a different ambience depending on how you choose to light your interior.
Karim Rashid’s exquisite CHIN CHIN collection plays with your perceptions. Flawless installations are formed of crystal components shaped into golden drinks glasses suspended from glass rings, finished with gradient nanocoating. The effect is a perfect paradox – the glasses look full, but they are empty, they hang upside down, but nothing spills. This design is both opulent and contemporary, creating a dramatic focal point for your interior.
Each of the new collections builds on Sans Souci’s central design concept – finding harmony in contrasting ideas and aesthetics. This is the brand’s response to the most pressing questions the interior design industry is facing. It is focused on embracing the contrasts and equilibrium between different perspectives. The space between luxury and responsibility to the planet, between craftsmanship and sophisticated technologies, between classical design and contemporary ideas.
Martin Chab, Founder and CEO of Sans Souci commented: “Our new direction and collections are testament to our commitment to design and innovation. They show that we are not afraid to combine diverse elements and ideas to create truly captivating pieces. We’re delighted to launch our 15 collections in Milan at one of the biggest design celebrations in the calendar – Fuorisalone and Euroluce. It will be exciting to get feedback from our partners and the wider industry, but this is just the beginning as we continue to grow our brand and portfolio.”
Sans Souci’s exhibition ‘The Harmony of Contrast’ will be showing this April at 2023 Design Week in Milan. One of the highlights will be HARK, an immersive exhibit showcasing Sans Souci’s bold designs and cutting-edge lighting technologies. The multimedia piece features exquisite crystal cuboids that respond to the audio around them, emitting different ambience depending on the tone of sound. A design experience for all your senses as it shows the contrasts between cool and warm, darkness and light, silence and sound.
The exhibition ‘The Harmony of Contrast’ is part of Fuorisalone and will be displayed at gallery Mimmo Scognamiglio Artecontemporanea, Via Goito 7, Milan, from 17 to 23 April. Sans Souci’s new portfolio of collections will be showing at Euroluce at Fiera Rho, Milan, P11.250, from 18 to 23 April. Find out more about Sans Souci’s collections and projects at www.sanssoucilighting.com
About Sans Souci
Sans Souci is a leading designer and producer of quality interior and architectural installations. Design and innovation are at the heart of its vision, offering clients a range of studio collections as well as a bespoke design service to create the perfect piece for each interior. Sans Souci manages the entire creative and production process from its headquarters in Bohemia, the world-famous glassmaking region, ensuring quality and sustainability at each step. Its unique art and lighting designs are installed in luxury interiors around the world, from iconic hotels such as Claridges and Burj Al Arab to private residences and designer retail spaces.
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Homeplay is proud to be one of only a handful of integrators in the UK to have been selected, trained and authorised to install Lutron’s brand-new premium Palladiom Wire-Free Shading System.
Designed with groundbreaking technology and whisper-quiet performance, they are installed without fascia, pocket, recess or wires, making them the perfect choice for a minimalist aesthetic.
Available as a wired or wire-free, battery-operated system these shades look beautiful from every angle, Palladiom shades are created for the most sophisticated homes.
The aluminum brackets are meticulously hand-finished and available in a variety of finishes that blend seamlessly into any architectural style.
Enhance your space with a shading solution that showcases what’s beyond the window pane. Occupying no more than 3 1/4″ of vertical space, a single Palladiom shade can cover a 12 x 12 foot window – highlighting expansive views while delivering daylight control at scale.
The Palladiom Wire-Free Shading System runs on Active Energy Optimization, a battery management architecture designed to optimize the efficiency of traditional alkaline batteries to extend battery lifetime to an industry-leading three to five years with fewer batteries.
To accentuate the minimalist aesthetic of the Palladiom Shading System, Lutron has created the inventive Palladiom Bottom Rail. The design uses a groundbreaking method of clamping onto the fabric – regardless of the fabric thickness – to ensure that the hembar will always sit perfectly flat and perpendicular to the fabric plane. The subtle curve along the hembar face matches the roll diameter at the top of the shade. When the shade is fully open, the hembar disappears into the negative space behind the shade itself.
About Homeplay
Discover sound you can feel, home cinema that transports you to another world and lighting that brings living spaces to life. We are Homeplay. Experts in beautiful home technology. Simple stylish systems, seamlessly integrated into the fabric of your home.
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At Helen Green Design we believe that beautiful lighting is an integral part of every well curated interior. Every room lends itself to a different lighting style, shape and design and therefore choosing the perfect fixture can be a daunting task.
To achieve a harmonious and considered scheme, it is important to keep lighting throughout the property consistent and connected to each other. This can be achieved by either by specifying similar finishes (aged brass, blown glass, crystal) or a particular style (modern, art deco, traditional). It is possible to mix and match for a more eclectic look, however it is challenging to ensure there is no disconnect between the spaces.
We like to source lighting from a range of suppliers who offer a variety of fixtures suitable for different areas. Here are our simple tips on how to select the perfect light for every room.
The entrance hall is an opportunity to make an impact in your home. The lighting in an entrance hall is likely to be one of the first things seen when entering the house so it is important to ensure it encapsulates the identity of the property.
It is an opportunity to make the most of the architectural features and utilise high ceilings or stairwells. An oversized, statement light can span across several floors or a centrepiece light can create an elegant, welcoming lobby area above the entrance table.
As the centre of every home, it is crucial that the light fitting chosen for this space does not compete with the rest of the furniture in the room and complements and relates to the design scheme. It doesn’t mean it cannot be striking. The key is to consider the proportions and materials as well as balance textures, colours and patterns used in the room.
It is important to carefully consider the position of the light. Most commonly it is placed in the centre of the room, above the main seating area or by the fireplace. It should not obstruct the view if located near a large window and not to hang too low to allow people to walk underneath it.
The main function purpose is to provide light above the dining table or island. It is good practice to follow the shape of the furniture item directly below the light fixture. For example, a round light for square or round tables and oval or oblong for rectangular or elliptical tables.
An interesting choice of lighting is using clusters of smaller pendants either in regular rows or staggered for dramatic effect.
When the dining area is connected to the kitchen, it is effective to use lights from the same family for a cohesive design.
Being sanctuaries of peace and rest, bedrooms are one of the most important rooms. As strong lighting is not necessarily required, light fittings perform a decorative role and can determine the feeling of ambience in the space.
Simple pendant lights above bedside tables are not only very functional as they leave the surface of the table clean but also are an excellent way to accentuate the main elevation of the room.
Alternatively, a small chandelier can bring elegance and interest to the bedroom scheme making it feel more like a hotel suite.
The clean lines and usually very light tones of natural stone finishes, sanitaryware and mirrors in a bathroom create a fantastic background and opportunity to showcase more sculptural lighting pieces.
From large, elaborate chandeliers above the bath to clusters of interesting pendants, they can transform a simple bathroom into a luxury spa.
It is also important to ensure all lights chose for bathrooms have suitable IP rating.
About Helen Green Design
Helen Green Design is proud to be one of Britain’s most respected luxury interior design practices. Over the past 19 years, the team has developed an invaluable reputation for creating elegant, sophisticated, and timeless interiors for our international private clients. The portfolio includes prestigious developments, luxury penthouses, townhouses, boutique hotels and country estates, with recognition for our work in Super – Prime London. Founded by the late Helen Green in 2002, the studio creates luxurious, yet liveable, residences and strives to deliver exceptionally high, personalised levels of service – values which lie at the very heart of our business.
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Great lighting design is one of the most important elements in any interior. In addition to enhancing functionality, illumination can also transform mood, ambiance and the perception of space. For optimum results, a project’s lighting plan should be implemented right at the beginning of the creative process. The best lighting designs maximise the amount of natural daylight available, then enhance this with complementary forms of artificial light. Task, ambient, mood, feature and architectural lighting all have an important role to play. The right type can enrich the colour, character and tone of any room. It can also accentuate physical features such as heights and recesses.
“There are three key facets to consider when planning lighting within a room design,” explains our director Mark Taylor. “The size of the room; the nature of the light and how it hits the room; and the existing shapes and ceiling heights.” The client’s personal preferences and their budget must also be taken into consideration. “Lighting can form a very expensive part of any room, sometimes more than the cost of furnishings and joinery,” Mark confirms. “So, it’s vital to establish a realistic budget from the outset.”
Rooms size and shape are next on Mark’s lighting design checklist. “We would assess the shape of the space, where the darker areas are, and how light the room needs to be,” he explains. “We would also consider where we need to avoid glare or reflection, and the colour palette and materials. Lighting can fundamentally change hues and tones.” Mark continues: “We would also take into account energy conservation, and how the lighting will be controlled. Solutions might include remote control smart home lighting systems such as Lutron. More traditional options – such as arc lamps and Anglepoise® lighting – can be both attractive and cost-effective if they are placed correctly and suit the interior’s aesthetic.”
High ceilings were a particular challenge for this multi-functional Marlow kitchen project. Mark and his team incorporated a strip light on the walls, bouncing light off the ceilings to avoid any dark spots. To maintain task lighting, they added LED strips to the wall shelving, to illuminate all the work surfaces.
A room’s primary function usually dictates the type of task lighting required. It can be hidden or directed specifically at certain areas that need to be illuminated. Mark notes: “This type of functional task lighting can still deliver visual design impact via an exposed fitting, either from a ceiling or a wall.”
Feature lighting is about much more than mere functionality. It’s about the shape and style of the fitting, as well as the illumination it provides. It’s an ideal way to make a statement and enhance a specific element of your decor – whether the light in question is off or on.
Then there’s architectural lighting. “There are certain situations where natural light simply is not available,” Mark explains. “To offset this, we could install a large, illuminated panel simulating daylight coming in from a skylight. Or we might use an LED hidden strip to “bounce” light off a ceiling, especially if the ceiling is very tall and spotlights would create dark spaces. That’s what we did in this drawing room, as the client didn’t want too many spotlights. So, we added an LED strip above the tongue and groove panelling.”
Bespoke, layered lighting design schemes use multiple light sources to deliver a combination of functional, ambient and accent lighting. “Depending on a room’s function, we usually look at up lighting, mid-level lighting, and ceiling or task lighting,” Mark explains. “Everything depends on the height of the ceiling, the amount of natural light available, and how the room will be used.”
He continues: “For instance, to light an area with two specific functions – such as a kitchen and TV/entertaining area – you need to adapt the functionality of the lighting for each use, and for different times of the day. In many cases, we use lighting that bridges both areas. For example, we might install wall lights that can be turned on to enhance mood, when task lighting isn’t required.”
This Shaker-style kitchen project incorporated two levels of flooring – and two levels of ceiling. It also featured three distinct areas: the snug, dining space and cooking area. Our lighting design used a combination of floor lights, mid-level lighting, task lighting, LED linear lighting and a window wall to illuminate and harmonise the different elements.
While there is no ‘one size fits all’ with great lighting design, there are some general guidelines that apply, depending on a room’s primary function(s). Obviously, kitchens require practical task lighting so that meals can be prepared safely and easily. Conversely, the rule of thumb with most cloakrooms is to celebrate their relative darkness. Soft lighting – and not too much of it – can minimise the sanitaryware, mitigate small spaces, and create a feeling of calm. For example, this windowless cloakroom is dark, intimate and tranquil. Our lighting design created a sense of movement and fantasy without over-illuminating the space.
Multi-purpose spaces, such as open-plan areas, family rooms and even drawing rooms, are likely to require a lighting design that can accommodate different occasions at different times of the day. In fact, combinations of low level and lamp lighting usually work best.
“As bathrooms have become more luxurious, clients want to create a mood for them, rather than just ‘wash and go’,” Mark reveals. “Sensor lighting is a really great way to make the bathroom an inviting space from the moment you walk in. Soft warm lighting can be used to replicate candlelight. LED strip lighting is also an effective way to highlight a particular design feature.”
Bedroom lighting design also needs to be versatile. Most clients require lamps/task lights for reading in bed and choosing clothes, although the room in general should be calm and sleep-inducing. Mark observes: “A flexible lighting system that gives clear visibility where you want it – but is very forgiving where you don’t – is the key.”
“Not all clients understand the value of lighting design – but it really can make or break a space,” Mark observes. “There’s both a science and an art to great lighting design. And it represents some of the best money spent in terms of creating or renovating loveable living spaces.”
About Mark Taylor Design
Mark Taylor Design is a British manufacturer of superlative bespoke furniture, cabinetry and specialist joinery, working in Central London and the Home Counties.
Canadian luxury handmade furniture and lighting brand Gabriel Scott has launched its latest lighting collection, Welles Reimagined, in collaboration with six global designers and architects to celebrate Gabriel Scott’s tenth anniversary in 2022.
The established designers have reinterpreted the studio’s most iconic fixture, the Welles Chandelier. The six fixtures, first showcased at Milan Design Week 2022, have now been formalised into six capsule collections which include chandeliers, sconces and pendant lighting.
Scott Richler, Gabriel Scott’s Founder and CEO, explains: “The Gabriel Scott brand launched on a manifesto to furnish the architectural community with exactly what they needed, and we’re still doing this through material, size and form ten years later. Inspired by jewellery, the Welles Chandelier is a true representation of our design philosophy – to design and make modular products to custom specifications. The Welles Reimagined capsule collections celebrates our brand ethos and the collaborations we undertook with each designer perfectly demonstrate how we like to work together with our design and architecture clients to achieve something really special and tailored to their requirements.”
The David Rockwell capsule collection celebrates the Welles Chandelier’s classic geometric form, while creating a contemporary light fixture inspired by clusters found in nature, such as crystals, chemical compounds, and clouds. Ultimately, Rockwell drew from botanic forms to create an organic assemblage. The hollowed glass polygons act as metallic light points that come together at varying heights and dimensions to form a floating light cluster. The feature chandelier is defined by its luxe volume and organic nature.
“The collaboration allowed us to create something very special that combines Gabriel Scott’s modular approach to lighting and expert craftsmanship with our focus on storytelling and materiality. We experimented with volume, color, texture, and scale to create organic assemblages of light that have a dramatic impact on the atmosphere and our perception of space.” – David Rockwell.
Crafted from white clay and inspired by a collection of ceramics she is currently designing, the Kelly Hoppen capsule collection comprises a single flush-mount sconce suitable for both wall and ceiling installation, a pendant light, a single sconce on a banded arm and the Welles Long Chandelier in three sizes. The overall form has been scaled down from its original size to create an elegantly delicate aesthetic.
“When I was asked to do it, obviously it’s a very iconic piece already, but instantly I knew I wanted it to be a chalk white, clay, very organic piece, because that would make it incredibly different from anything Gabriel Scott had done before.” – Kelly Hoppen, CBE.
Alessandro’s capsule collection has a beautiful narrative infused with dynamic and bold fashion references inspired by rhythmic dance. It includes the 12-module central chandelier as seen in Milan, a scaled down 8-module chandelier, a larger 18-module chandelier and an arm sconce. While its volume is radically different, the modular qualities are still able to extend for extra tall ceilings and multiply for larger spaces. This flexibility makes it a truly versatile and playful product that invites designers to create bespoke configurations.
“One of the key features that inspired us was how architectural the Welles is, yet extremely detailed and jewellery-like – even the slightest of components like the bracket is beautifully designed. It felt like a sculptural piece of art. So, we drew inspiration from couture fashion, from dance, and when we immersed ourselves in this world, we thought about deconstructing the original piece and rebuilding it in a completely different way.” – Alessandro Munge.
Michelle turned to nature to add a floral element that represents growth and bloom, alluding to a rebirth of a classic Gabriel Scott design. Uplifting and joyful, Michelle Gerson’s capsule collection includes a vertical sconce and small, medium and large versions of the chandelier first seen in Milan.
“The vision is nature. We tried to take a more geometric, modular, masculine type fixture and break it up and create what we thought would be blossoms, branches and leaves. We mixed up the materiality a little by using mesh to create a lightness, we wanted it to feel spacey, alive and happy.” – Michelle Gerson.
As a contrast to the sharp metal and glass silhouette of the original Welles, Sybille’s interpretation reveals the feminine side of her signature design style. Couture-inspired, elegant and smooth, the capsule collection shows a gradient composition from emptiness to full, with a variation of hollow and plain shapes. It comprises a sconce, cluster sconce, the standard chandelier as seen in Milan, and a smaller version. All fixtures include padded vegan leather to create a subtle 3D effect and rounded corners to add softness.
“We love leather because we find it’s a very elegant finish and combined with a soft bronze, this is our vision of luxury which is very understated.” – Sybille de Margerie.
Guan’s design is a striking floor installation, illuminated by light bulbs and made from POLiROCK, a new material developed by Material Architecture Lab. The fired clay has unique characteristics, somewhere between ceramic and rock. It appears natural but is made by recycling manufacturing waste. Due to the nature of this design, it can be customised from the original form that was shown in Milan. For commissions, Guan and the Gabriel Scott’s design team will work with the client to deliver something bespoke.
“The first thing I thought was that it would be nice to have a contrasting material, so instead of something transparent something solid that allows light to go through in a very particular way.” – Guan Lee.
Cover image: Sybille de Margerie for Gabriel Scott
About Gabriel Scott
Gabriel Scott is a design house and production studio creating contemporary collections of fine furniture and lighting. Led by founder and CEO Scott Richler, all Gabriel Scott pieces are proudly handmade in a Montreal-based studio where an in-house team of industrial designers, engineers and manufacturers work together to create and oversee each piece from inception to production. Established to blend Scott’s design experience developed over many years working in architecture, fashion and jewelry design, Gabriel Scott’s furniture and lighting collections are designed in line with the studio’s three principles: timeless, customizable and versatile aesthetic.
Sans Souci, Czech designer and creator of glass lighting installations, reveals a series of custom-made installations for Claridge’s hotel in London. 264 pendants were specially designed and produced to illuminate the world-famous art deco interiors.
The contemporary lighting refit was the vision of leading lighting designers L’Observatoire International with each installation designed by French architect Sylvain Dubuisson, well known for mixing classical style with cutting-edge lighting technologies. Each piece is made from opaque, sandblasted glass crafted into geometric patterns, which ensures unique light dispersion. This is further enhanced by fitting two-tone LED strips and one main light source to create a very special and sophisticated ambience.
“When I designed these pieces for Claridge’s, I wanted them to be both decorative and intriguing to fit with the elegance of the art deco interior design. This was achieved by combining two contrasting patterns – rectangular and circular – similar to Chesterfield sofas. The large, complicated designs were then produced in white glass, which embodies simple sophistication. Manufacturing large installations such as these is complicated but I am thrilled with the results, which stay true to my original designs.” said Sylvain Dubuisson, architect and designer.
“We were delighted to have the opportunity to work with L’Observatoire International and Sylvain Dubuisson, world leaders in lighting design. Dubuisson is always looking to work with new technologies and materials, which is something we are passionate about at Sans Souci. The development process took lots of time and resources to create these beautiful pendants in a colour that is entirely unique to this project. The final installations are elegant and one of a kind, just like Claridge’s.” added Dominik Cienciala, Managing Director for Sans Souci UK.
Hervé Descottes, renowned lighting designer and Co-founder of L’Observatoire International, explains the vision behind Claridge’s new lighting: “Claridges is an iconic building, with such a rich history. When I was asked to re-design the lighting for the guest circulation at the hotel, I wanted to create a series of beautiful iconic moments for guests, to perfectly connect the special experience of dining at the ground floor or first visiting, to the luxury of staying there and the rooms.”
“First, we brought an ambient layer of cove lights that accentuated the height and ornate detailing in the corridors, and introduced a system of tunable white fixtures that warm gradually from day to night. Secondly, we needed to design a light fixture that was iconic and completely unique; that fit perfectly in the design heritage of Claridges, but felt timeless. With longtime collaborator Sylvain Dubuisson, we designed a fixture that is both beautiful and functional- with many layers of light that allowed it to provide cooler, diffuse light in the day then transition to warm, more directional light at night. The realization of the design was made possible with the expertise of Sans Souci and their experience with cast glass- whose involvement throughout the process ensured that we were able to devise specific fabrication solutions for these very beautiful pendants, that transformed these spaces and became a beautiful addition to the hotel.”
A total of 264 pendants and 198 wall lights were made to illuminate Claridge’s interiors. This adds to the list of Sans Souci projects London, which includes the Southbank Spa, Connaught Patisserie, The Langham Hotel, 1 Blackfriars Tower Crown Plaza hotel, Royal Lancaster hotel, and Fortnum & Mason – the Parlour & the Fountain Restaurant.
Sans Souci is a Czech designer and producer of glass lighting and architectural installations. Expert glass-makers, Sans Souci combines high-quality heritage craftsmanship with innovation, using the cutting-edge nano-technologies to realise its unique designs. With an emphasis on precision and detail, the brand specialises in creating bespoke luxury lighting pieces and decorative glass features that highlight original architectural features. Production takes place in North Bohemia, Czech Republic, a world-renowned glass-making region.
Canadian luxury handmade furniture and lighting brand Gabriel Scott has launched the LUNA KALEIDO collection, the second chapter in the brand’s best-selling Luna lighting range.
The customisable modular series includes two stackable glass lighting fixtures: a horizontal chandelier and a vertical pendant. The mouth-blown glass beads can be ‘strung’ together in any order to create a bespoke glowing piece of jewellery for residential, hospitality and commercial projects.
The lights are available in seven new shapes, all named after constellations (Dorado, Lyra, Aras, Cygnus, Orion and Carina). The collection is inspired by a kaleidoscope, which comes from the Greek words for kalos (beautiful), eidos (form), and skopeo (to look at). Like a kaleidoscope, the glass shapes have been designed to offer infinite interpretations of tone, shape and refracted light. When stacked, the lights become a glass mosaic with varying tones and patterns. Each colour and texture distorts light in a different way. When looking through the glass, the distortion creates magical optical illusions. Soft iridescent colours, including pinks, blues and greens, are fused with clear glass to create a sophisticated colour spectrum. The lights are available with six different surface textures including Smooth, Gridded, Regadines, Bubbles, Lines and Dots.
Founder and Creative Director Scott Richler comments, “We are delighted to be extending our existing LUNA series, which was launched in 2019 and is already popular with architects and interior designers alike. We work very closely with our makers at our Montreal production studio to ensure that each mouth-blown pendant and chandelier is made to the highest standards. Each piece will add a sense of enchantment to any interior design scheme.”
The LUNA series is inspired by a lunar halo and is a glamourous reference to the moon’s diffused light and soft glow. The LUNA series is currently available in satin brass, satin nickel, satin copper, satin bronze and black steel. Existing glass options include blue, California pink, yellow, smoked amethyst, smoked bronze and smoked grey.
The KALEIDO collection is available to purchase online and at Gabriel Scott’s New York and London showrooms.
Gabriel Scott was founded in Montreal, Canada, in 2012. Scott Richler was working as an architect and was often tasked with specifying high-end custom furniture for clients. He realised there was a market for bespoke, contemporary and customisable furniture and lighting fixtures crafted using a holistic approach that would be specifically aimed at designers and architects who need control over every detail of a building’s design.
This week’s instalment of SBID’s Product of the Week series features an unconventional lighting design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Light.iQ.
SBID Awards Category: Lighting
Practice: Light.iQ
Project: SKP-S
Shin Kong Place South (SKP-S) in Beijing has opened its doors on December 2019, and it promises to change the way luxury retail is perceived. Gentle Monster and SKP wanted to engage all our human senses (by hearing, smelling, seeing, and touching) once we enter this department store. All luxury brands embraced this unusual concept and created innovative interiors.
The lighting departed from the traditional forms of shopping illuminations too. Dark and moody corridors were introduced instead of flat and evenly lit ones. The result is an immersive experience full of art installations combined with interactive displays to keep customers on their toes even when they are circulating between shops.
The SBID International Design Awards programme serves to recognise, reward and celebrate design excellence across a broad range of categories spanning Interior Design, Product Design and Fit-Out. Click here to find out more.
Sans Souci, Czech designer and creator of glass lighting and architectural installations, introduces lighting installation in the centre of Burj Al Arab’s new lobby in Dubai. The stunning chandelier was adapted from Sans Souci’s signature Symphony collection and is comprised of 210 crystal tubes, weighing around 450 kilograms.
The installation seamlessly integrates heritage craftsmanship with the latest nano-technologies. Using cutting-edge techniques, each glass tube was coated in gold and engraved with a unique leaf motif taken from the luxury hotel’s wallpaper.
Designed by KCA International for Jumeirah Group, the newly renovated Exit Lobby features the magnificent spiral chandelier as the bespoke centrepiece for the interior. The installation’s design plays with light to create a glowing piece of art in the heart of the new space.
“Burj Al Arab is a globally recognised symbol of Dubai and luxury so we were delighted to work on this project” commented Elie El Khoury, Managing Director of Sans Souci Middle East. “We wanted to create a unique installation for the new interior that embodies the opulence of this iconic hotel.”
Jiří Krišica Head of Design at Sans Souci, added “The core design for this piece is taken from our Symphony collection and we then worked with the design team to create a truly unique chandelier that highlights the stunning interiors of the hotel. The final effect is an installation that plays with light and shade, creating a beautiful focus for the space.”
Burj Al Arab’s new Exit Lobby opened in October 2021. This installation adds to the list of Sans Souci’s projects in the Middle East which includes the W Hotel The Palm, Waterfront Market, Central Park Towers in Dubai or Al Rayyan Hotel in Doha.
About Sans Souci Lighting
Sans Souci Lighting is a bohemian designer and producer of decorative lighting fixtures, glass objects and architectural features. Shaped by impeccable design and desire for modernity, they value, above all, innovation and technology. Never afraid to challenge the rules, they strive to be the leader in the field of lighting originals and a luxury brand for those seeking beauty and inspiration.
In this week’s interview with 2021 SBID Awards winner for the Lighting Design category, REPUBLIC OF II BY IV partners, Dan Menchions and Keith Rushbrook answer questions on the winning experience, the creative process behind designing the Boga Collection, and what’s in store for the company’s future!
The internationally renowned interior design practice, II BY IV DESIGN was founded in 1990 by Dan and Keith – both dreamed of a creative firm that was deeply rooted in design and guided by a passion for constant innovation. “Continually travelling the world, we seek out art, architecture, fashion, theatre, food and culture to fuel our imaginations, while inspiring globally celebrated designs.”
Practice: REPUBLIC OF II BY IV
Entry: Boga Collection
The SBID Awards are regarded as one of the most prestigious accolades in the interior design industry representing talent and design excellence across all corners of the industry.
Being named a finalist for a SBID Award is a notable achievement but being a category winner has made our studio tremendously excited and thrilled. We are truly honoured to receive this recognition, especially considering the products of all the other finalists.
The benefits of receiving an SBID are vast but most notably the acknowledgement and exposure within the international design community. It gives immense credibility to our product to win a world class award.
The simplicity of the design. It is truly a study in form and shape. It’s elegant and refined. The purity of the design comes from a simple line. Our design team didn’t want to overcomplicate it. Sometimes less is more and it’s important to keep it simple.
Having said that, the design is only as strong as those who manufacture it. So, we celebrate hollis + morris’ true craftmanship and their team for fabricating this product. It’s a true partnership and we share this great accolade with them.
Our team wanted to evoke emotion, we hope everyone who sees the fixture is inspired and curious by the design.
Boga, which takes its origins from the Old English word “bow” was inspired by the wonders of how wood can be transformed. The bow in archery is so powerful and we wanted to emulate that with a lighting fixture.
Inspired by narrow natural wood material, the Boga Collection pendants maximize the surface area available to emit light, delivering glow with absolutely no shadowing. The substantive solid wood frame supports its elongated scale and lends to its striking yet whimsical presence. Customizable, and dimmable from cool to warm tone, with wood finishes offered in primarily natural ash, walnut and black stain, the Boga Collection is an elegant complement to any residential, hospitality or commercial interior.
As for bringing this concept to life, we had to ensure to was structurally sound. So, we 3D printed small samples then a full-size model once we had our design perfected. Each pendant is milled out of one natural wood piece using 5-axis CNC technology to follow the natural curve of the wood grain. The design teams focused on creating a pendant that embodies a natural wood grain finish that flows into the piece with intentional joinery resulting in a pristine and clean aesthetic.
First and foremost, it must be able to be fabricated. You can’t create a super complex design that will only make it to the prototype stage. Also, you must keep in mind finances. The cost of fabrication directly leads to retail price. We keep in mind fabrication in order for it to be affordable or what we like to call ‘affordable luxury’. We wanted this piece to have a mass market appeal with a high-end look.
The materiality is a huge consideration as well. For all our projects, we factor in the environmental aspects. Minimizing our carbon footprint is very important to our studio so we ensure it is locally sourced and fabricated.
Our background of over 30 years in interiors definitely influences and contributes to how we approach the products we create. We think about how specifiers and the public can use it in their spaces. Ensuring the product can have as many applications as possible.
After all, light is so very crucial to a space, without lighting there is no design.
We are always planning our next steps at REPUBLIC of II BY IV. We have more lighting lines being developed with local and international manufactures, working with existing, well-known brands as well as completely new brands. We are also launching a brand-new wallcovering line.
Our studio has a lot planned for 2022 so be sure to follow us to stay up-to-date! @republicofiibyiv
This is such a great question and many thoughts come to mind but the one that sticks out the most is, dare to be yourself. Authenticity is what lasts in this industry. Don’t just follow the trend, start the trend.
It’s imperative to have your own point of view on design and always push the envelope. Be willing to take risks and dare to be different. You need to stand out in this business.
Focus on materials that do not harm the environment and don’t just design for the sake of designing. Always design with a solution in mind. Add your clever take to the design and be mindful of the craft. Celebrate as much as possible and look for inspiration everywhere.
Questions answered by Dan Menchions and Keith Rushbrook, Partners of II BY IV DESIGN and REPUBLIC of II BY IV, proud members of SBID for over a decade.
Established by Dan Menchions and Keith Rushbrook and credited with countless awards and esteemed publications, II BY IV DESIGN is distinguished by a balanced approach that captures the essence of each client’s vision. From concept to execution the entire team believes in delivering the highest level of design excellence.
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