A building that Blooms every evening

Located in South Bopal, Ahmedabad, ORCHID stands in a rapidly developing area that was still largely underbuilt at the time of its conception. Developed by HN Safal, this commercial center required more than functional illumination. It needed a visual call, a nocturnal signal capable of drawing nearby residents toward a new urban destination.

Atelier dada imagined light as a narrative tool. Inspired by the project’s name, the lighting concept was structured around the poetic life cycle of orchids. Each day of the week was associated with a different orchid species, selected from the vast diversity of over 6,000 existing varieties. This weekly rhythm offered visitors a constantly renewed experience, encouraging repetition, curiosity, and attachment to the place.

Each evening unfolded through an hourly luminous sequence. The first hour suggested the birth of the orchid, through delicate and emerging light. As the night progressed, the flower appeared to bloom, expressed by more vibrant and dynamic chromatic scenes. Toward closing time, the light gradually softened and faded, evoking the wilting of the flower and a gentle return to darkness. This cycle repeated daily, with subtle variations linked to the featured orchid, creating an immersive and evolving nocturnal atmosphere.

The project combined several layers of perception. Two illuminated orchid mascots were installed on the blind gables of the lateral blocks. Designed with media LED battens, these graphic elements were visible from a long distance, acting as luminous landmarks announcing the project within the urban fabric. Confirming the location at a semi-long range, each block was equipped with a very low-resolution LED screen above its main entrance. These screens diverted the usual media façade typology, displaying slow, pre-programmed luminous cycles synchronized with the overall lighting narrative. At close range, the trees lining the front façade were illuminated in chromatic harmony with the media elements, as if the light itself were blooming outward from the orchid emblem.

The realization of ORCHID required hundreds of hours of research and coordination. Visual exploration of botanical references, development of lighting scenarios, programming supervision, and close collaboration with local technical teams were essential to achieve this cohesive luminous ecosystem.

Although the final photographs of the completed project were unfortunately lost, on-site test images and preparatory visuals are shared here to preserve the memory of this immersive and poetic lighting experience.