Global lighting design consultancy Nulty recently provided sophisticated lighting schemes for two prominent projects in the Gulf region, demonstrating its expertise in crafting atmospheres that enhance user experience and brand identity.

The lighting designs for Time Out Market Bahrain and the newly refurbished Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi showcase Nulty’s signature approach of layering light to create mood, movement, and memorability.

At Time Out Market Bahrain, a vibrant culinary destination designed by commercial interior design firm Zebra, Nulty tackled the challenge of a predominantly dark interior with a multilayered scheme. The design establishes a clear hierarchy of light, featuring ambient illumination for comfort and conviviality, accent lighting to highlight key features, and feature lighting that reinforces the Time Out Market brand.

The design establishes a clear hierarchy of light, featuring ambient illumination for comfort and conviviality, accent lighting to highlight key features, and feature lighting that reinforces the Time Out Market brand.

“Every detail of the lighting has been designed to inspire a sense of discovery and spark a memorable connection,” says a spokesman for Nulty. “The team focused on creating an enveloping layer of ambient illumination that highlights the dramatic architecture moments, while adding warmth and ambience.”

“Graphic lines of light work are an overriding design feature and work symbiotically with the accents of red in the architecture to make the lighting an integral part of the brand identity,” he adds.

Minimalist spotlights subtly enhance light levels in crucial areas, seamlessly blending with the dark ceiling to maintain the design’s boldness.

Nulty’s design strategically elevates logos, signage, menu boards and display shelves with focused accents, improving visibility and wayfinding for visitors. Light was also washed onto the vertical surfaces to emphasise the materiality of the food stations, giving each space its own unique character.

The design establishes a clear hierarchy of light, featuring ambient illumination for comfort and conviviality, accent lighting to highlight key features, and feature lighting that reinforces the Time Out Market brand.

Communal eating zones benefit from mood-enhancing lighting that creates transitions across the market. Brightly lit food stalls and bars create an energetic social atmosphere, while soft, subdued lighting in seating areas and the exterior terrace encourages guests to linger.

Addressing the expansive central skylight, Nulty implemented an adjustable control system to balance daylight with artificial light, ensuring consistent illumination throughout the day. The resulting lighting scheme helps cultivate a unique and convivial ambiance, enriching the culinary journey for every guest.

Marina Mall

In Abu Dhabi, Nulty has delivered a transformative lighting scheme for the newly refurbished Marina Mall on Al Marina Island. The design for the luxury retail space blends seamlessly with the architecture, turning the mall into a luminous landmark.

Marina Mall .... the dynamic lighting of the façade.

A dynamic lighting display animates the front façade of the luxury entrance after dark, drawing attention to the triangular geometry of the architecture. Concealed, individually addressable LEDs, developed in collaboration with Huda Lighting, create a mesmerising visual spectacle that complements the daytime aesthetic.

The dynamic lighting of the façade is supported by an elegant composition of light across the public spaces.

At the mall’s entrance, low-level integrated linear profiles provide a soft glow along the steps, serving as intuitive wayfinding. Subdued lighting around a decorative water feature creates a reflective dark pool that mirrors the façade’s outline.

In the surrounding gardens, human-scale illumination, including recessed wall lights and diffuse lines of light, guides users through the space. Spike lights in trees and low-glare bollard and marker fixtures highlight the walkways.

A bespoke artwork above the atrium, which is animated by lighting.

Inside the mall, soft lines of light enhance the luxurious material palette and provide ambient illumination along circulation routes.

“The centerpiece of the scheme is a bespoke artwork that floats above the central atrium of the jewellery corridor. Architectural light animates the feature, simulating the depth and movement of daylight through projectors positioned in the skylight above. These projectors bounce light onto the piece’s unfurling metallic leaves and cast intricate patterns of light and shadow onto the floor below,” the spokesman concludes.