The Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi is a building of superlatives, combining traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology in lighting. It is the largest mosque in the Emirates and the third largest worldwide. Its interior can accomodate 40,000 worshippers at one time.The mosque is highly regarded for its architectural significance and also praised for its sophisticated lighting. A range of lighting products from ERCO, Louis Poulsen and WE-EF were supplied and commissioned.

The products and solutions used in this project were as follows:

• ERCO Stella spotlights for the main prayer hall
• ERCO Stella wall washers inside, for the high ceiling areas and on the opposite side of the prayer hall – Main Cupola
• ERCO directional downlights used inside – In the main hall where the 99 names of Allah are written
• Louis Poulsen inground fixtures for columns inside and outside
• ERCO IP-65 directional downlights for the exteriors and outdoor area
• WEEF lighting for dome area

Details of landscape lighting:

More than 4,245 luminaires were installed. ERCO inground luminaires were used for uplighting the palm trees and signage pillars. ERCO Grasshoper projectors were used to light up the trees.

ERCO Axis walklights were used for the steps. Custom-made lantern box lighting was spread across the whole area and ERCO Focal Flood wallwashers were used to light up the walls with the Quranic inscriptions.

The challenges in this project were as follows:

The concept was to create an inspiring lighting display to do justice to the grandeur of the iconic building, both externally and internally and to emphasize its standing as a gateway into the city. To achieve this the lighting architects specified dimming and control of lights, while keeping special focus on vertical illumination.

Thousands of ERCO luminaries were supplied to the main prayer hall with Stella spotlights, wall washers and directional downlights and Louis Poulsen’s inground fixtures to light niches and columns of the Grand Mosque along with WE-EF lighting for the entire landscape area.

The result:

Scientechnic successfully overcame all the challenges and handed over the project in 2008. The mosque was awarded the ‘Middle East Lighting Design Award 2008’ as the best lighting project in the Middle East.