Regional buildings have never looked so good

The Middle East Lighting Design Awards (known as MELDA) celebrate the creativity of the world's leading lighting designers who are enhancing the region's built environment through the power of light.

MELDA which is organised by IIR Entertainment and Installation Technology Group, is an integral part of PALME Middle East which takes place from 27-29 April 2008 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, now firmly established as one of the world's biggest integrated technology forums and the Middle East's largest gathering of entertainment industry professionals.

"Regional buildings have never looked so good," said Claire Brookes, Event Manager for MELDA, "The quality of entries this year has been truly exceptional. With billions of dollars being spent on so many iconic buildings throughout the region, developers now realise more than ever, the crucial role that architectural lighting design plays in enhancing a building's appearance especially at night".

Among those shortlisted is Kevan Shaw Lighting Design for the Aspire Tower in Sports City, Doha, Qatar, in which nearly 4000 light emitting diodes were installed in a unique cladding system.

The tower was inaugurated during the opening of the Asian Games in 2006.

Lighting by dpa for Junsui, an authentic Asian restaurant set within the opulent interiors of Dubai's Burj Al Arab, the world's most luxurious hotel, has also been shortlisted.

Speirs & Major Associates who designed the lighting for the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi which accommodates more than 30,000 worshippers and is the sixth largest mosque in the world, are also contenders along with NeoLight for the Four Seasons Resort at Dubai Festival City; Royal Gift Electronics for the Tabriz Bridge in Iran and Lighthouse Productions for Splash.

In product categories, Fagerult's Open Box and Living Colour by Philips are among those shortlisted.

The lighting design awards were staged for the first time last year and created a benchmark of excellence.

The awards cover projects within the Middle East, including the Gulf Co-operation Council countries as well as Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran and Egypt.

The awards are being sponsored by Philips ME, Martin Professional Middle East, Production Technology and International architectural lighting journal

MELDA is also supported by the International Association of Lighting Designers and Lighting Urban Community International.

The awards are being judged by an independent panel including lighting designer Ziad Fattouh, Senior principle, Delta Lighting, Shaun Killa, Design Director, Head of Architecture Middle East & India, Atkins, Markus Stebich, Director of Development Spa + Interiors, Jumeirah Group and Jeff Willis, Associate Director, Arup, who is also one of the founder members of the Emirates Green Building Council.

The winners will be honoured during a gala dinner at the Park Hyatt Dubai on 27 April 2008, attended by leading international lighting designers and senior professionals involved in the delivery of the region's major projects.