Commercial design projects across Saudi Arabia that demonstrate a commitment to the Kingdom’s Dark Sky Initiative have a new opportunity to be recognised for their efforts. Nominations are now open for the CID Awards 2024: Saudi and there’s a new category to honour the Dark Sky Initiative.
The ceremony will be held in early 2024, with more details coming soon. To be the first to hear, subscribe to the CID newsletter.
What is a Dark Sky Initiative?
A dark sky initiative is a regional effort to reduce light pollution and protect the nighttime environment. “It is both physically and socially-culturally sustainable,” says Suzanne Wynter, Director of Design at Qiddiya.
“The Saudi culture has vernacular living at the core of a multi-generational living community and to this day, every weekend, Saudi families drive to city edges to find an open dark sky space, to sit around campfires, connect with friends and family – and look up to the stars,” she explains. “Historically, the Najdi architecture vernacular deliberately relied on respecting the rooftops of homes, as living places, to sleep, eat and connect, and this ethos still permeates society.”
An official Dark Skies Reserve is an area of land protected to ensure exceptional quality starry nights and the security of the nocturnal environment and must be accredited through the International Dark Skies Association (IDA). Saudi Arabia’s The Red Sea Project has partnered with international engineering experts Cundall to implement a destination-wide lighting plan to achieve international standards and preserve the night sky at The Red Sea
“The open-hearted Saudi culture of close-knit families deeply love and respect traditions and heritage, even the progressive youth or well-travelled young adults of KSA embrace their past and enjoy looking back as much as they look forward,” Wynter explains.
“A dark sky initiative, particularly in busy cities or masterplans, allows for anyone to look up and connect back into nature, when space is dense and tightly packed, this ‘6th plane’ may allow some physiological peace, and mental wellness, in an otherwise escalated and stressful modern lifestyle. A dark, star-lit sky allows a modern and rapidly evolving society to symbolically and physically connect back to, and hold onto the culture of KSA, whether as a guest in this country or as a citizen.”
Dark Skies and Design
Across retail, F&B and hospitality, respecting the dark sky isn’t always an easy feat, which is why the new Commitment to Dark Sky Initiative category was introduced – to recognise the considered approach of designers working in the region. “A dark sky initiative in F&B and hospitality can be very challenging but also comes with great opportunity. As many businesses compete for attention, attracting footfall in laneways, malls or streets is highly important,” Wynter says.
“A softly lit, candle-lit restaurant sign may not attract guests in the same manner as a strong LED sign, but when all laneways, streets, cafes, stores and restaurants are softly lit, the combined beauty as a whole is both a point of difference and an attraction in its own right,” she adds, adding that soft, diffused and non-direct lighting also often implies luxury, which can work to the benefit of businesses.
“As a collective whole, retailers, hoteliers and F&B tenants will need to rethink their strategies moving forward, both physical and online, and how they will draw customers into their spaces without bright signage or strong wayfinding,” says Wynter. “What is the discovery process and where does it start? Their businesses’ attraction value may need new experimentation or re-invention to adapt to a new urban foundation which embraces darkness.”
At the CID Awards 2024: Saudi, that experimentation and re-invention is exactly what the judging panel will be looking for to award the Commitment to Dark Sky trophy.