A place to take root and succumb to the music, Saikindō is a Japanese-inspired listening bar located within the Four Seasons Hotel on Abu Dhabi’s Al Maryah Island. Centred around a precision audiophile system that delivers high-fidelity sound, the venue called for a layered lighting scheme designed to accentuate every note, every design detail and every interaction.
Bridging the gap between the wider hotel and the immersive areas deeper within the bar, the Atelier Zone serves as a retail-meets-gallery space, showcasing Bōsōzoku-inspired fashion and hand-crafted pieces by Japanese artisans. Here, we balanced functional illumination with dynamic expressions of light. Graphic lines of light embedded in the sculptured ceiling define the contours of the architecture, adding dynamism to the space. Discreet downlights and spotlights frame the displays, directing the gaze to the artistry of each piece.
The heart of Saikindō is the Hi-Fi Bar, complete with a showpiece DJ station and traditional wooden speakers. In this space, we set about integrating light within the fabric of the bar to make it resonate with warmth and drama. A backlit ceiling frames the turntables, bathing the area in warm, golden light to amplify the energy of the space. Soft lines of light create contrast, highlighting the wooden speaker domes, the retro counter and the bottles on the shelves. For the seating area around the perimeter, we took a different approach, keeping light levels soft to ensure the soundscape takes precedence.
In the soundproofed Kūkan Room, designed to feel like the interior of a wooden speaker, we concealed light within the modular timber architecture. While visually understated, the scheme is highly adaptable. Guests can customise the ambience, tailoring the mood and intensity of the lighting to the tempo and style of the music being played.
Images: Courtesy of Four Seasons Abu Dhabi
