Babylon is an Utkarsh Puraskar winner in the Exterior Lighting category at the LiDAI Lighting Awards 2024 — a dynamic lighting design that elevates the architecture and party atmosphere with its creative interplay of light and materiality.
Located in Hyderabad, Babylon has quickly become the most happening party destination in the city, attracting crowds with its vibrant energy and unforgettable ambiance. However, what truly sets Babylon apart is not just the music and the crowd—it’s the lighting design that complements its architectural materiality, adding a layer of visual depth and intrigue to every corner of the space.
Lighting as a Medium to Highlight Materiality
The central concept behind the lighting design for Babylon was to enhance the materiality of the architecture visually. The design team focused on making the lighting effects the star of the show rather than the light sources themselves. The aim was clear: to let the material textures of the space come to life under the subtle yet purposeful play of light.
Using linear grazers strategically, the team highlighted the compound walls both from the exterior and the interior of the property, bringing attention to the cladded stone textures. The choice of 30-degree, 2700K linear grazers ensured that the lighting was soft but effective, illuminating the green cover from the tall trees while casting dramatic, yet natural light across the surface.
Defining Spaces with Thoughtful Lighting Solutions
Each space in Babylon was carefully lit to create a unique experience. Low-intensity LED strips (2700K) were used to demarcate steps, creating subtle, artistic lines of light that helped define the flow of the space. The planted trees surrounding the venue were uplit to add depth and subtle ambient lighting, making sure the outdoor space remained lively and warm, even in the late hours of the night.
At the huge bar area, the lighting design cleverly incorporated linear strips beneath the shelving, accentuating the bar’s details and creating a visually exciting focal point. The bar counter received special attention, with LED strips highlighting its contours and adding to the modern, sleek vibe of the space.
Semi-Outdoor Pavilion: Crafting Light for Architectural Impact
A notable feature of Babylon is its semi-outdoor pavilion with coffered slabs that add architectural complexity to the venue. The design team worked meticulously to create custom-designed pendant lights, which were carefully placed to accentuate the interior of the coffers. These pendants illuminated the form and texture of the coffers, enhancing the material experience while making sure the lighting source remained discreet. This was a challenging yet rewarding aspect of the project, requiring careful coordination in the casting and driver provisions for the pendants.
Localized Lighting for Each Table and Brewery Tanks
A special touch was added with battery-operated lights on each table, providing localized accent lighting that allowed patrons to enjoy a more intimate and personalized dining experience. Additionally, the brewery tanks within Babylon were lit using wide beam track spots in 3000K, creating a sharp color contrast that made the tanks stand out, further enhancing the industrial yet elegant atmosphere of the space.
Perfecting the Ambiance with DALI Control
One of the most exciting elements of the lighting design at Babylon is the DALI control system over KNX integration. This advanced system allowed for precise control over lighting intensities and contrasts, ensuring that the design team could perfect the lighting contrasts required to maintain the visual continuity through the glass facia. This allowed the team to adjust the atmosphere depending on the time of day or the mood of the crowd, creating the perfect lighting ambiance for any moment.
About SPK Valo: Designing with Passion and Purpose
SPK Valo is a lighting design firm known for its commitment to creating superior, expressive, and responsible visual environments. Passionate about the role of light in architecture, the team at SPK Valo works with light in all its forms, ensuring that each project embodies both aesthetic beauty and energy efficiency. Their approach combines creativity with a deep understanding of technical needs, making light not just a functional element but a transformative force that shapes the very experience of the space.At SPK Valo, the philosophy is simple: Think global, act local. They design with an awareness of global challenges—especially in terms of energy use—while making sure each project is tailored to its specific context. Whether it’s a large-scale party venue like Babylon, a luxurious restaurant, or a contemporary office space, SPK Valo excels in creating bespoke lighting solutions that resonate emotionally with every individual who experiences them.
