The lighting concept for Mandarin Oriental Costa Navarino reflects the unique beauty of the region, merging Mediterranean elegance with a contemporary, understated luxury. Designed to honour the area’s natural landscape and rich heritage, the lighting creates a warm, inviting ambiance while maintaining a respectful approach to its pristine surroundings. Unobstructed vistas and the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor areas were prerequisite to the hotel’s lighting design allowing guests to feel constantly immersed in the breathtaking natural environment and appreciate the materiality of natural stone surroundings.
Delta-Theta was entrusted with creating the lighting scheme, and our studio took a highly selective approach about which features to illuminate and the appropriate intensity. Our design team carefully accounted for the abundant natural daylight of the sunbathed resort, employing lighting scenes to adapt the atmosphere throughout the day. Brighter lighting enhances the spaces during daylight hours, while dimmed, more intimate lighting in the evening transforms the ambiance, allowing spaces to transition seamlessly from day to night.
The architectural lighting across the front-of-house areas, including the Reception, Lobby, Oliviera Restaurant, Three Admirals bar, Library, Events space and Spa, was created using a combination of architectural fittings thoughtfully balanced with decorative lighting. These fixtures were chosen for their elegant design, optical performance and ability the seamless integration into the structure. Lighting mock-ups were constructed to ensure optimum integration, allowing the equipment to remain discreet while enhancing the space.
A thoughtfully curated selection of decorative lighting complements the architectural lighting, fostering an elegant and tranquil atmosphere. This lighting design approach seamlessly extends to the exterior balcony and terraced areas, where the lighting gently recedes toward the sea, enhancing the view of the breathtaking sunsets. Layers of ambient, task, and accent lighting are integrated to highlight natural materials, bespoke details, and architectural features, ensuring the spaces feel both refined and welcoming. Concealed fixtures and low-glare luminaires were integrated in a bespoke woven ceiling with triangular panels, utilising an honest lighting approach yet at the same time aiming in minimizing visual distractions. The result was a harmonious blend with the architecture and interiors.
Mandarin Oriental is committed to whisking guests away from the bustle of the outside world, crafting a tranquil sanctuary where relaxation reigns supreme. Our mission was to harness the power of lighting to elevate the earthy, layered interiors, weaving a tapestry of serenity and comfort that embodies the hotel’s distinctive character and charm.
