Light & Peace – Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, UAE

The Light & Peace visitor experience, located beneath the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, unites people through an exploration of faith, coexistence, and shared humanity.

Inspired by the Holy Qur’an’s verse: “God is the light of the heavens and the earth,” the lighting design concept embodies the idea of Islam as the light that connects celestial and terrestrial realms. The design team utilised light as a unifying force throughout the exhibition. Through exhibition and architectural lighting, complemented by media elements, light creates an atmospheric space for visitors to explore, while accentuating particularly significant features within the exhibition.

Spanning five galleries and presented in seven languages, the experience unfolds as follows:

Visitors enter via a curving, dark corridor illuminated by atmospheric light installations. An introductory statement, projected in light, sets the tone before guiding visitors to the central space. Here, a cohesive narrative introduces the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the UAE as a beacon of tolerance and coexistence.

This section delves into the three grand mosques of Islam: Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. For each, an external sculptural element, echoing its distinctive architecture, forms an ethereal pavilion. Within these pavilions, large-scale films immerse visitors in the social, spiritual, and architectural essence of each mosque. Selected artefacts, displayed as hero objects, are accompanied by digital captions that highlight their significance.

A remarkable collection showcases the intellectual and artistic achievements inspired by the Muslim faith—each piece a form of divine worship in praise of Allah. Display cases enable 360-degree views, with detailed interpretations connecting each artefact to the light of Islam.

At the heart of the exhibition, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque embodies the values of peace, tolerance, and diversity within Islam. A large architectural model allows visitors to appreciate the mosque’s structure and its surroundings. Above, a custom dynamic chandelier supports digital interactives overlaid on the model, enabling exploration of the mosque’s architectural features and the diverse Islamic influences that inspired its design.

Culminating the visitor journey, this gallery celebrates Islam’s legacy of peace and coexistence with other faiths. An introductory element conveys the gallery’s message, leading to a large-scale interactive installation that generates beautiful artwork guided by visitor movement.

The lighting design is bold and symbolic, enhancing the narrative while respecting the artefacts and creating an immersive experience. Most objects required 50 lux lighting, demanding close coordination between the design team and the client’s conservation team. All exhibition lighting is dimmable and individually controlled via DALI, allowing precise on-site adjustments. Feature lighting is predominantly managed through DMX and synchronised with AV show control systems. Specific film files control colour and dimming sequences, deepening the immersive experience for visitors.