Fountain Design Essentials – Welcome to Fountain Lights
Fountain Design Essentials – Welcome to Fountain Lights
As a passionate fountain enthusiast, I’ve always been captivated by the mesmerizing interplay of light and water. But recently, I had the opportunity to experience something truly extraordinary – the stunning fountain displays at the Atlantis The Royal resort in Dubai. Let me tell you, it was a revelation that has forever changed the way I think about fountain lighting.
Picture this: you’re standing in awe, watching as 28-meter-high jets of water soar gracefully into the air, accompanied by a captivating choreography of colored lights that transform the scene into a breathtaking liquid symphony. This is the magic of Skyblaze, one of the world’s most unique performance fountains, and the crown jewel of Atlantis The Royal’s water features.
What sets Skyblaze apart is its innovative design that abandons the traditional ring-and-arc configuration of most fountains. Instead, it’s constructed as a field of water and fire expressions, with jets and flames erupting from unexpected locations, creating a mesmerizing display that is truly one-of-a-kind. Every performance is an intimate experience, as the fountain’s arrangement leads to ever-changing patterns, gestures, and movements that surprise and delight the viewer.
According to the design team at WET, the goal was to push the boundaries of what’s possible with fountain design, creating an experience that is both powerful and intimate. And they’ve certainly succeeded, as Skyblaze captivates audiences with its dynamic choreography, vibrant colors, and the sheer scale of its water displays.
But Skyblaze is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Atlantis The Royal’s impressive water features. Throughout the resort, the design team has seamlessly integrated water and lighting elements to create a truly immersive experience for guests.
Take the lobby’s Deluge water elevators, for example. As you step into these glass-enclosed cylinders, you’re quite literally walking through a sheath of cascading water, with the sparkling pools below adding to the sense of being enveloped by the liquid element. It’s a truly unique sensation that sets the stage for the water-centric wonders that await.
And speaking of wonders, the resort’s Horizon Pool is a true marvel of engineering. Perched 43 stories in the air, this acrylic-paneled pool allows guests to swim while gazing out over the stunning Dubai skyline. It’s a breathtaking experience that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor, above and below, creating a one-of-a-kind aquatic adventure.
Throughout the resort, the strategic placement of lighting elements amplifies the water features, transforming them into true spectacles. From the shimmering water wall at the porte-cochère entrance to the flickering candle-like flames within the Horizon Pool, the lighting design is an integral part of the guest experience, elevating the water displays to new heights of wonder and beauty.
But Atlantis The Royal’s water features aren’t just about pure spectacle – they’re also deeply rooted in the resort’s architectural and design philosophy. The team at Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF), the lead architects on the project, envisioned the resort as a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living, with the water features serving as a vital connective tissue.
“Rather than create another piece of iconic architecture, we sought to create a series of iconic experiences through the design of a building that, by being split into pieces, forms multiple gardens in the sky,” explains Elie Gamburg, Design Principal at KPF. “This makes it possible to have all of the indoor-outdoor living experiences we expect in a beach-side villa, raised in the air.”
The result is a resort that feels both luxurious and naturalistic, blending the grandeur of Dubai’s iconic skyline with the soothing presence of water. The architects drew inspiration from the ancient architectural traditions of the region, incorporating shaded courtyards, ornamental fountains, and other elements that have long been used to create comfortable outdoor spaces in harsh climates.
By embracing these time-tested principles and combining them with cutting-edge design and engineering, the team at Atlantis The Royal has created a resort that truly elevates the guest experience to new heights.
But the magic of Atlantis The Royal’s water features doesn’t stop at the visual spectacle. The resort’s lighting design, created by SKS Studio and 40NORTH, has also played a crucial role in bringing these aquatic wonders to life.
“We’re thinking ahead to what will be cutting-edge in two to three years,” explains Sean Simms, President of SKS Studio. “One idea spurs an even better one, so changes are made, but one change affects 10 more down the line.”
This forward-thinking approach has led to the incorporation of dynamic lighting that seamlessly integrates with the water features, creating a mesmerizing interplay of light and liquid. From the programmable water wall at the entrance to the choreographed color-changing lights of Skyblaze, the lighting design is an essential component of the overall guest experience.
But it’s not just about the wow factor – the lighting design also plays a crucial role in ensuring the energy efficiency and year-round comfort of the outdoor spaces. By strategically placing sunshades and leveraging the depth of the terraces, the team has been able to maximize natural ventilation and shading, allowing for the use of clear glass while still achieving impressive energy savings.
As I stood mesmerized by the sheer scale and complexity of Atlantis The Royal’s water features, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of awe and wonder. This is not just a resort – it’s a masterpiece of aquatic artistry, where the elements of water, fire, and light have been orchestrated into a harmonious symphony that captivates the senses.
From the dramatic Skyblaze fountain to the serene jellyfish aquarium, every aspect of the water experience has been meticulously crafted to transport guests into a realm of pure enchantment. And the fact that the team behind this marvel has managed to seamlessly integrate these features into the resort’s architectural and design philosophy is truly a testament to their vision and expertise.
As I reflect on my time at Atlantis The Royal, I can’t help but feel inspired by the boundless creativity and technical prowess that has gone into creating these truly remarkable water features. It’s a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence – qualities that, in my opinion, will continue to shape the future of fountain design and lighting.
So, if you’re looking to elevate your own fountain lighting experience, I highly recommend taking a page from the Atlantis The Royal playbook. After all, when it comes to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with water and light, these visionaries have set a new standard that is sure to inspire fountains enthusiasts and designers alike.
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