Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1523401
26 | Architecture & Design A fter months of meticulous restoration work at Gozo's premier hotel, Kempinski, ESS, in collaboration with Living Design, is proud to have contributed to a truly unique lighting canopy that takes centre stage in the hotel's lobby. This creation, the largest of its kind, masterfully combines the elegance of a classic chandelier with modern architectural pendants, adding a new highlight to Kempinski Gozo and elevating the hotel's commitment to providing the ultimate luxury experience. The bespoke lighting piece measures an impressive 4 metres in diameter and comprises 868 individual pendants arranged in a dome shape, measuring 4.8 metres in height at the lowest point. Created by Lodes, a renowned name in Italian designer lighting for over 70 years, the canopy features their iconic A-Tube Nano pendant in a sublime champagne finish. This perfectly complements the traditional Maltese limestone and earth tones of the newly refurbished interior. Interpreting light in its simplest form, each A-Tube Nano pendant creates a thin luminous line, diffused through a transparent methacrylate diffuser. This creates a soft yet glimmering atmosphere, welcoming guests with a breath-taking ethereal glow that enhances the grand lobby of the hotel. Truly breathtaking to experience in person, the creation of this custom canopy was no easy feat. Seemingly weightless, floating over the hotel's lobby, the canopy, which is composed of over 860 individual pendants, cumulatively weighs over a ton, presenting a unique set of challenges. The main challenge posed by the scale of this lighting canopy involved the assembly, power distribution to the individual pendants, and most importantly, oscillation, which could have threatened the feasibility of the project. Working closely with the renowned Italian lighting design house, the team reviewed every detail to ensure the stability and durability of the structure. To meet this end, Lodes designed and assembled an innovative tiered system comprising eight individual sections from which the pendants could be suspended. This custom system, which facilitated cable management, effortlessly concealed the cables within the structure itself, allowing for a simpler installation process. Additionally, the sheer dimensions of the structure demanded an innovative solution to prevent oscillations, which was crucial for its long-term stability. To this end, twelve strategically placed suspension points were added to the custom system, ensuring the structure remains steadfast. This strategic and creative approach underscores the team's unwavering dedication to overcoming complex challenges with precision and ingenuity. Supported by an international team of eight specialists, the complete installation process took just three days, ensuring each LED piece was perfectly adjusted to the precise distance between the roof and floor. This careful alignment preserved the chandelier style and achieved the varying levels of illumination required, highlighting every stunning detail. ESS is truly honoured to have been part of this remarkable project in the Maltese hospitality industry. They remain committed to delivering high-quality lighting projects that push the boundaries of creativity and engineering through representation of some of the best lighting brands in the industry. Unveiling the latest Lighting Marvel at Kempinski San Lawrenz