Header: Courtesy of Art Light Design Consultants
Between Silence and Starlight is the name of the exterior lighting design for HOTEL DUA in Kenting, Taiwan, a project that won in the LED Exterior Lighting Design category at the LIT Lighting Design Awards. The lighting design was developed by Art Light Design Consultants, with Lee Wilson as lead designer, in collaboration with studio JAHAA Studio.
HOTEL DUA is a five-star hotel that requested a lighting design that could connect the architecture with the landscape and interiors. To achieve this completely, the lighting designers carefully integrated their planning with more elements: time, weather and the hotel’s surroundings.
A dialogue between light, space and time
The lighting concept is titled “Poetics of Starlight” and is based on the specific conditions of Kenting, including the coastal climate, strong sunlight, southern winds and the area’s association with stargazing.
One of the main visual elements is a series of geometrically shaped, colourful sail-like sunshades. During the day, these sails filter sunlight and alter the tone of the spaces beneath them. This detail was intentional, as the designers treated natural light as an active material, including its changes throughout the day and seasons in all aspects of the project.
At night, those same elements are artificially lit so they remain an important part of the exterior design, showing an important detail of the lighting design programme: architecture and décor are adaptable through the intentional dialogue between light, time and space. In practical terms, this means that the building can change naturally over the course of the day instead of looking the same at all times.
Relationship between natural and artificial light
Clerestory windows and skylights bring enough daylight into the common areas, so artificial lighting is not needed during the day. This reduces energy use and keeps these spaces lit mainly by natural light. After dark, artificial lighting is used in a more controlled way, with exterior lighting taking over where needed.
Lighting specs
All lighting in the project is LED-based, with a colour rendering index above 95. The system is supported by integrated smart controls using DMX, DALI and sensors. These controls not only allow the lighting to be adjusted and targeted with precision but also make it easier for the hotel to abide by environmental requirements.
Sustainability approach
The outdoor lighting follows International Dark-Sky Association standards, which means spill light is limited and the impact on the surrounding coastal environment is reduced. Night-time lighting is carefully directed and kept to the areas that need it.
Project Information
Prize: Winner in LED Exterior Lighting Design at the LIT Lighting Design Awards
Lighting Design Company: Art Light Design Consultants
Lead Designer: Lee Wilson
Other Designers’ Names: Yu-Ting, Huang Keyu Lin
Architecture Company: We & Win Diversification Co., Ltd.
Interior Design Company: JAHAA Studio
Client: We & Win Diversification Co., Ltd.
Completion Date: May, 2025
Project Location: No. 5, Wenhua Lane, Kenting Road, Hengchun Township, Pingtung County 946
