Located in the heart of what is deemed 'New Dubai,' the 223,000sq.m centre offers a full range of shopping, leisure, and entertainment activities. Officially opened in November 2005 it is home to over 400 retailers and includes Ski Dubai, the five-star Kempinski Hotel, and Magic Planet, the largest indoor family entertainment centre in the country.
Martin Professional Middle East, already responsible for some of the region's most distinguishing lighting solutions, was called in to provide a dynamic lighting scheme for several key areas. Ski Dubai is housed inside a huge 22,500sq.m metal fuselage packed with artificial snow. The first indoor ski destination in the Middle East, the six-acre dome houses five runs (some even black diamond) and a real chairlift that rises some 30 levels. Temperatures are kept at a constant -2°C.
The structure's outer facade is outlined in a strip of decorative colour changing light from some 370 Martin Architectural full colour mixing Cyclo IP65 luminaires. Fully weatherproofed, the Cyclo IP65 is an RGB T5 fluorescent colour changer capable of generating nearly all colours or white light of any colour temperature. Ski Dubai's ever-changing lighting scheme is controlled via a Martin PC-based ProScenium control system. Debbas Electric LLC installed the Cyclo fixtures with lighting design by Martin Professional Middle East in collaboration with Francis Krahae.
Offering stunning views of Ski Dubai and the surrounding area are charming chalets that form part of the Kempinski Hotel at Mall of the Emirates. Attached to the Mall, the Kempinski is a 400-room 5-star hotel that offers all the amenities you would expect from a hotel of its class.
The domes of the Kempinsky glow in an ever changing concert of color shades from Martin Architectural CMY colour changing Exterior Series fixtures: 12 Exterior 600 Compact and 48 Exterior 200 with lighting control from a Martin ProScenium and Martin LightJockey. The Exterior fixtures were installed by Cinmar Lighting Systems with lighting design by Francis Krahae.
Because the domes sit at various levels and the luminaires are spaced at distances too great and impractical for DMX cable, Martin Professional Middle East proposed a wireless control solution using the Martin Wireless DMX 512 device. Located outdoors, two WDMX transmitters communicate with five WDMX receivers. All devices are protected from sun, water and corrosion by IP65 box covers.
Magic Planet at Mall of the Emirates is the largest indoor family entertainment center in the country. Firmly aimed at the technology savvy younger generation, the two-level fun zone offers a wide variety of rides - including roller coasters - and high tech video and simulation games.
An elegant combination of indirect dynamic illumination and atmospheric audio fills the area courtesy of the Martin Architectural ViroStation. ViroStation consists of flat panel architectural loudspeakers mounted on a slim post and illuminated by Martin Exterior 200 CMY colour changers. The panels function as both loudspeakers - for music and PA purposes - and light reflectors and blend perfectly into the environment. Its contemporary look complements Magic Planet's interior design and high tech setting. Martin MAC moving heads add energy to the space as well as to other areas of the mall.
(Lee Baldock)
