The emergent lighting experience at the luxurious Devi Ratn with its ultra-modern design – a fusion of traditional Rajasthani and contemporary elements – creates a unique identity for the luxury hotel
Fact File
Project name: Devi Ratn
Location: Jaipur
Client: 7 Apple Hotels
Renovation completed: 2019
Architects: Designers Group
Lighting: Lightbook
Set at the foot of the Aravalli mountains and spread over 20 acres, the Devi Ratn was a renovation project taken up by Designers Group in 2019. It was to have a unique identity in terms of the intricate Rajasthani elements in its design and through its flamboyance. Light here was not meant to be an accessory to interior design but an equal mainstay of grandeur. Ambient lighting and natural light were engineered in creative ways to do so.
The play with light begins at the entrance lobby, where a red stone jail adorns the roof, allowing daylight to filter in and create a play of light and shadow. Warm white natural light is concentrated at a higher level and made to disperse as it comes lower, to create a cascade of light. Special high lumen engines are fitted in selective places like the reception area, sculptures, furniture, and other high points of the space, for focused lighting requirements.
The central light installation is crafted out of acrylic and is inspired by a Jaipur chandelier. It has pre-configured RGBW settings based on daily use at the hotel. The skylight theme follows into the ‘Mandala’ bar, a circular space with a hypnotic mirrored ceiling. The combination of a glittering ceiling with white curtains sets a celestial theme to the space, only enhanced by the bar which is set to various colour themes.
It is imperative to be conscious of lighting when designing for a space as spectacular as the Devi Ratn Hotel in Jaipur. The right play of light makes a space come alive, which is what we achieved
Architect & Lighting Designer Vinayak Diwan Founder, Lightbook
The dining space with a ribbed vault ceiling is lit by a bespoke pendant light. The ambient lighting follows into the corridors to the food and beverage areas, which are void of typical downlights. Instead, they have indirect lighting and selective focus on elements, all the way to the public areas. Based on functionality, the public areas are kept muted, using only strategic accent lights. The lighting in the guestrooms on the other hand is versatile and can be altered as per usage.
