SWIMMING POOL LIGHTING TRANSFORMATION

Swimming pools offer the perfect opportunity to elevate outdoor spaces with exceptional lighting design. Thoughtfully chosen swimming pool lighting creates a visually stunning ambience, transforming an ordinary pool area into a captivating focal point. Whether it’s the soft glow of underwater lights or the strategic illumination of the surrounding landscape, the right lighting can completely redefine the atmosphere of your pool area.

At our Dubai studio on Al Manara Road, our swimming pool area needed some attention. With the arrival of beautiful new outdoor furniture from Coco Wolf, one of our British Design House (BDH) brands, we saw the perfect opportunity to upgrade the space. By enhancing the lighting, we aimed to create a more inviting environment for clients and staff to enjoy, showcasing the power of exceptional pool and landscape lighting.

Head of Design Middle East, Estefania Marquez shares the design process and key features of the landscape lighting transformation.

The swimming pool landscape area (as above before) is a serene and immersive space at the center of the villa. The dynamic nature of this area means it needs to serve multiple purposes—from hosting office functions and events, to highlighting BDH brands—while retaining the villa’s original layout and preserving its distinctive features. The David Harber sculptures, particularly the ‘Torus,’ proudly anchor the pool area.

The lighting design for this swimming pool area required a delicate balance of creativity and precision. Working within the confines of existing wiring and a fixed landscape, we developed a scheme to create a dramatic backdrop as the night draws in.

The heart of this transformation lay in reimagining how light interacts with the pool and its surrounding landscape. Our initial concept centred around peripheral illumination, using a combination of Hampton 40 spike lights, Carellas and Portobellos. These fixtures brought a soft focus to key features, such as the Torus sculpture, which was subtly backlit using Hampton 40 spikes to emphasise its form and significance.

Through on-site iterations and lighting trials, the team fine-tuned each element to achieve the perfect balance of functionality and ambience.

Highlighting focal points: The Hampton 40 illuminates a striking Ravenala palm tree, casting a powerful yet soft light that extended the visual reach of the area. This design creates a sense of openness while retaining intimacy.

Enhancing plant textures: The Hampton 25 adds a delicate glow to low-level planting, like the Zamia Furfuracea, bringing warmth and texture to the landscape.

Grounding with tree illumination: Kew 40 Spikes wash the trunks of mature trees with a narrow beam, spilling light upward to softly illuminate the canopies, grounding the space while creating an expansive visual effect.

Accentuating architectural details: Contour HD27 lighting emphasises the decking steps and the canopy outside the glazed doors, enhancing the architectural form while expanding the perceived size of the outdoor area.

Good lighting goes beyond mere functionality—it’s an art form that creates atmosphere, and celebrates the beauty of a space. By emphasising focal points, textures, and architecture, we transformed the pool and its surrounding landscape into an inspiring and relaxing haven. The furniture by Coco Wolf seamlessly blends within the space, creating a comfortable and tranquil space.

Have you got a project you would like to transform with lighting design? Contact us for more information or explore more of our projects for inspiration.