© Ezekiel Avelino
Pioneer of Light Faraz Izhar
18 ONDERWERP
The fourth dimension of architecture By Denise Close, Jean-Luc Wittersheim
A senior architectural lighting designer in Dubai, Faraz Izhar believes that light acts as a fourth dimension of architecture. It structures architecture’s rhythm and shape and gives life to inert building materials. In the Middle East, particularly, the rapid spread of LED technology has significantly affected lighting design.
How do lighting and architecture interact? Light, lighting and architecture share an almost transcendental relationship. Light brings all architectural dimensions to life and acts like a 4th dimension of architecture itself. A legend in his own time and even today, Le Corbusier mentioned in his book “Vers une architecture”: “Architecture is a learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light”. This quote serves as my daily inspiration and speaks volumes about the importance of light in my projects. For me, if architecture is frozen music, then light is what thaws it, by setting a rhythm which may sometimes be smooth and serene; or sometimes be edgy and avant-garde. Have you seen an evolution in the way architects integrate light into their work in the Middle East? The evolution is here; indeed, the change is happening fast. The development of LED technologies has enabled us to integrate lighting in ways which were impossible using conventional sources. Almost all designers in the region have started taking advantage of this and the innovations are on the rise. And not just for artificial lighting; integration and usage of daylight have also moved up several notches in the last couple of years. How does LED technology influence designers? There is an impact on designers but basically on everyone, anywhere and everywhere. Now there is more flexibility in terms of what you can achieve with miniaturization of LEDs, as these can be easily integrated within architectural details. Such integration was not possible before the LED revolution.
LUMINOUS 2019/23
“Architecture is a learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light” Le Corbusier
What is your vision of smart lighting in architectural design? Smart lighting is fast changing the face of contemporary architecture and the way it’s perceived. Smart fixtures and intelligent controls are being utilized in new and creative ways, so that the light itself appears to be a building material rather than anything artificial. Some modern-day facades across the world are actually being “built” with light. How do you see this harnessed to Power over Ethernet? I definitely want to see smart lighting technologies evolve further to bring in much more sustainable, cost effective, flexible and efficient lighting solutions. The evolution of Power over Ethernet technologies has eradicated the need for conventional electrical power cabling. It may not be feasible at the moment to adopt it everywhere, but I would love to see the day when light fixtures require no more than a simple “plug and play” type of installation within their designated locations. No drivers, no cables, nothing but an on/off master switch.
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© Ezekiel Avelino
Biography Faraz Izhar Faraz Izhar is a senior architectural lighting designer at KEO International Consultants in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
KEO International Consultants profile Based in the United Arab Emirates, KEO International is a leading multi-disciplinary consulting firm in the region.
His responsibilities include managing architectural lighting design packages in the UAE and Kuwait.
KEO International offers an end-to-end planning and development solution for its clients throughout their projects, from design to implementation and project delivery in the built environment. Its services integrate planning, design, engineering and project management solutions for world-wide projects.
After graduating with a degree in architecture from Aligarh Muslim University in 2002, Izhar first worked as a design architect; by 2005 he’d shifted to pure lighting design. He worked for Cooper Lighting, Scientechnic and Chawla Architectural & Consulting Engineers before joining KEO International in 2008. His experience in architecture and urbanism covers a wide range of lighting design projects and product applications, notably residential, corporate, hospitality and master planning.
What achievements by other professionals have inspired you the most? One lighting project is the Louvre in Abu Dhabi. I particularly love the way sunlight filters in through the star-shaped perforations and the seven or eight layers of glass, steel and aluminum under the dome. They call it “the Rain of Light” and it truly feels that way. It’s surreal – an amazing experience.
This global company with offices in seven countries, draws on the expertise of professionals from more than 60 nations. The company’s results-driven missions focus on safety above all, in addition to innovation. Its team members emphasize respect and dignity as the foundation of all interactions.
Which three of your projects are career highlights? The Sofitel Dubai Downtown was one of my first lighting projects, in 2014, so it has special meaning. Also, it was awarded “Best Hospitality Lighting Project of The Year” during the Light Middle East Awards organized by Messe Frankfurt.
Another stunning achievement is the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Its façade lighting is synced to follow the lunar cycle, changing colors, going from bright light to darkest, deepest blue, from a full moon to a waning moon; clouds float across the façade. The changes are subtle yet truly grand and magnificent.
I am also proud of the ADEC schools in Abu Dhabi, which are part of Abu Dhabi Education Council’s ambitious program for future expansion of schools – various phases covered around 14 different schools. When you design lighting for education, the satisfaction is immense; somehow more than with other project types! We were involved in all aspects: architecture, lighting design, MEP & sustainability services infrastructure.
In the case of the Sheikh Zayed Bridge, spanning the Maqta Channel in Abu Dhabi, fluid and dynamic lighting scenarios smoothly transition from white to other tints across the bridge – it feels like “poetry in motion”. Night lighting complements its contemporary “waveform” shape. The bridge was designed by Zaha Hadid and the lighting design is by Arup.
My third selection is My City Center mall in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, which opened to the public last summer. Being in Masdar City, there were strict sustainability criteria for architectural and lighting design, notably reducing light pollution and keeping the lighting power densities low. We achieved very good sustainability ratings without compromising anywhere on the design and build quality.
How have you kept your knowledge up-to-date ?
What is not yet possible in architecture that you would like to see become a reality in the future?
With the rapid-paced, ever evolving technologies in the lighting industry, if you do not keep your knowledge up to date, you will not survive in the industry. So yes, I do keep myself up to date by constantly following industry news and developments.
20 PIONEERS OF LIGHT
I would love to see dynamic facades and dynamic architecture become mainstream. Examples of dynamic facades already exist in the world but I would love to see building facades and interiors with changing finishes; and, adaptation either to the weather conditions or simply as per the wishes of the owner/occupant. Again to a large extent; the skeleton of this “fantasy future vision” of mine is actually based on further evolution of smart lighting technologies and of lighting integration technologies.
© KEO International Consultants
ADEC Future Schools, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Significant projects
© KEO International Consultants
Mixed-used –4 8 Burj Gate & The Sofitel Dubai Downtown, Dubai, UAE – The Ras Al Hamra Development, Muscat, Oman – QP District, Doha, Qatar Residential – Expo Village, Dubai, UAE – Shams Reem Development, Abu Dhabi, UAE – Maryah Plaza, Abu Dhabi, UAE Offices and education – ADEC Future Schools, Abu Dhabi, UAE –K uwait Investment Authority headquarters, Kuwait – Kuwait Institute of Science & Technology, Kuwait
My City Center Mall, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, UAE Sofitel Dubai Downtown, Dubai, UAE
Website www.keoic.com
LUMINOUS 2019/23
© KEO International Consultants
Retail and hospitality –M y City Center Mall, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, UAE – SO Spa, Dubai, UAE – Four Points by Sheraton, Kuwait City, Kuwait – Sofitel Dubai Downtown, Dubai, UAE
INTERVIEW: PIONEERS OF LIGHT 21
