With the completion of the Mercato Town Centre, Nouran Trading Company has added yet another laurel to its record. According to Nouran, lighting forms an integral part of the architectural and interior design development of the Mercato.
'We were tasked with providing a complete lighting solution, from an innovative lighting concept to the supply of the appropriate fixtures necessary to bring the mall to life.' says Architect Giorgio Palermo, lighting designer with Nouran. 'We have the capability of offering a total package. For this project, the client Abdul Rahim Mohammad Abdul Rahim Al Zarooni entrusted Nouran with developing a lighting design that fits into his vision of an Italian masterpiece. We were responsible for the complete design in terms of the general lighting concept, technical specifications in addition to supplying all the fittings for both the interior and exterior of the shopping mall. 'It was a challenging task as the project is a recreation of Renaissance-era Italian structures. The mall itself had to be lit in a way that would accentuate the architecture while hiding the modern fixtures used,' he states.
'The external façade of the building is divided into many sections, each with its own style, thus giving it the semblance of a combination of several small buildings. Moreover, some sections follow the Roman style and others the Gothic style, amongst others.
'As a result, each section had to be lit up in a different manner so as to emphasize the wide variety of colours and materials used, whilst keeping in mind the style in general. The idea was to achieve the desired effect without showing the fixtures,' explains Palermo. 'We did a few mock-ups which not only helped the client visualize his project but also helped us to select the most appropriate option.'
Turning to the interior of the building, he says, 'Designing the interior lighting was also a demanding task. The central atrium of Mercato is like a big square or galleria and its corridors resemble streets. The concept was that of walking inside a city and not a mall - in this respect, the project had to be treated differently than a typical mall.
'We had to reconcile this theme of wandering around a city while at the same time providing for the practical needs of shoppers and shop-owners. In light of this, we had to strike a balance between architectural and functional lighting. We have succeeded in finding this balance, thanks to our dedicated team of lighting professionals.'
As one of the founders of Nouran in 1978, Talal Sawaf, the CEO of the group, succeeded in transforming Nouran from a simple supplier of lighting fixtures to a professional lighting consultant able to provide a comprehensive lighting solution.
Nouran supplies virtually all types of luminaries ranging from decorative indoor/outdoor chandeliers to the most sophisticated and up-to-date technology in the realm of intelligent lighting controls. The company is comprised of an international team of highly qualified personnel.
'Our team is capable of proposing an array of intriguing lighting designs while taking into account the clients' requirements, specifications as well as environment,' says Sawaf. 'They keep abreast of the latest developments in the field; studying new trends, features and technologies.
'Our staff can assist in selecting ideal designs catering to individual specifications. All designs are evaluated using computerised calculations. These graphic forecasts are invaluable for visualising the space, helping predict luminance levels, lighting patterns and glare restrictions. We use computer modelling techniques to show the final lighting effect.'
Nouran undertakes both interior and external lighting projects. The company has a direct relationship with its suppliers and its technical department works hand in hand with them in order to find a solution or meet requirements.
'We can also develop new products in our suppliers' manufacturing facilities. An example of this are the chandeliers for The Fairmont Hotel in Dubai, for which our team went to Venice (Italy) to custom-design them,' says Sawaf.
The company has been involved with a wide spectrum of projects ranging from hotels, villas, commercial buildings as well as street lighting.
'We have won a lot of projects because of our clients' faith in our abilities and service. Building a strong relationship with the client is of paramount importance to us,' he says.
Some of the prestigious projects undertaken by the company include The Fairmont Hotel, Deira City Centre Shopping Mall, Apartments and Office Complex, Ritz Carlton Hotel and Beach Resort, Jumeirah Conference Centre, Oasis Beach Resort and Le Meridien Jumeirah.
