The newly launched FIVE Zurich is a brand-new addition to the FIVE Global Holdings portfolio and the brand’s first venture outside of Dubai. The 5-star luxury hotel is already making waves, being dubbed the hottest new fine dining and nightlife destination in Switzerland.
This refurbishment project was designed by iconic interior design practice, Russell Sage Studio, to draw on the hotel’s glamorous heritage, inspired by music and film. The lavish hotel, which was built in the 1970s, is located between Zurich city centre and the Uetliberg mountain and offers stunning views of the city skyline, lake, and mountains.
Russell Sage Studio appointed Victoria Jerram Lighting Design for the venues lighting scheme, to create an outstanding and unforgettable atmosphere. The lighting played an important role in bringing a unique atmosphere to each area of the hotel, while keeping a cohesive ambience throughout. The lighting design needed to meet Swiss SIA building standards, and the exterior lighting had to conform to International Dark Skies exterior lighting recommendations.
The bespoke lighting design and installation was crafted to highlight the theatrical design throughout the seven new dining and nightlife venues, including popular hotspots such as the rooftop nightclub and outdoor social pool. Victoria Jerram Lighting Design specified a wide palette of lighting solutions from various manufacturers into the design, including downlights from Orluna, LED tapes from Osram, and custom UV fittings from Stoane Lighting. Darklight reflector downlights were chosen for the ambient lighting, to limit reflections in the extensive glazing, a polished gold reflector was used instead of the usual polished silver, in keeping with the rich design palette.
The lighting design makes an impact at the start of the guest journey, with the lighting of a 12m high Alphorn sculpture above the entrance using an array of Meyer floodlights, carefully aimed and shielded to prevent slip light to the bedrooms and limit skyglow. Closer to the entrance is a 43m mural by street artist ZEDL featuring famous musicians Elton John, Freddie Mercury, and Rihanna lit using bespoke Stoane Lighting fittings. Further artworks inside the hotel are purposely lit, including street art murals in the Soul Street restaurant and guitar sculptures by the US artist Dixon Bergman.
The lighting design exceeded the client’s expectations, with extremely positive feedback from guests and the design team alike. This is despite the challenge that the timing of the project produced, as it began during lockdown. Collaborative work began remotely between the large client team in Dubai, the architect and designers in Switzerland, Russell Stage Studio and Victoria Jerram Lighting Design in the UK, and artists in the USA and Germany.
Victoria Jerram visited the hotel site for the final scene setting, which took place over four nights. Setting the hundreds of lighting circuits to different levels for each scene elevated the spaces, creating theatrical magic. The result is an unforgettably opulent space that will draw in guests to create an endlessly luxurious experience within every facet of the hotel.
