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THERE IS NO HOTEL WITHOUT LIGHT
The story of visionaries who defined the guest experience
When I think of lighting or light in architecture, the name Le Corbusier is inevitably the first that comes to mind. Born Charles-Édouard Jeanneret in 1887 in Switzerland, Le Corbusier was a visionary who revolutionized 20th-century architecture through his radical ideas about urbanism and functionality and his deep understanding of light as an essential design element. century.
For him, light was not just a practical tool – it was a ‘construction’ element as important as concrete, steel, or wood, materials he often used in his works.
His obsession with light is evident in works such as the Chapelle de Ronchamp, where small, colorful windows are strategically placed to create dramatic beams of light that change the interior throughout the day, or in the La Tourette monastery, where light through narrow openings accentuates the texture of the rough concrete walls and creates a sense of spiritual contemplation.
Chapel in Ronchamp
What happens when the sun goes down?
Le Corbusier is famous for his statement that architecture is “the mastery of the correct, magnificent and correct distribution of light.” His contribution lies precisely in his treatment of light as a dynamic, almost sculptural medium.
In modern interior design, especially in hotels, restaurants, and high-class residences, we can no longer rely solely on the sun’s path. Artificial lighting has become an extension of the architectural idea – a means by which we create atmosphere, a sense of luxury, security, or peace. While Le Corbusier ruled over natural light, modern lighting designers have taken up the torch in the world of artificial lighting, bringing new perspectives and techniques.
This brings us to experts like Richard Kelly (1910–1977), an American pioneer of modern lighting design and one of the key figures in this field. His contribution is not only technical but also conceptual – he introduced the idea of three types of light: general (ambient luminescence), accent (focal glow) ,and decorative (play of brilliants). This classification became the basis for understanding how lighting can shape the experience of a space.
Seagram Building in New York
He worked with architects such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe , whose minimalist structures – such as the Seagram Building in New York – he enriched with lighting that emphasized the purity of lines and materials. His collaboration with the greats of modernism demonstrates his significance, but what makes him especially noteworthy is the universality of his ideas.
His advice is not only reserved for elite projects – it is also applicable to everyday spaces. In a hotel lobby, for example, Kelly’s focal glow creates a warmth and depth that invites guests, while a play of brilliants in a restaurant can add drama and sophistication.
Artificial lighting with soul
Another voice that stands out is that of Kaora Mende , a Japanese lighting designer whose work reflects the subtlety and deep connection to Japan’s cultural heritage. Mende, founder of Lighting Planners Associates, is known for his approach to “invisible” lighting – light that supports a space without dominating it. Inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetics, where light often comes indirectly through shoji screens, Mende uses lighting as a dramaturgy of space, adapting it to emotion, function, and time of day.
His projects, such as the Aman Hotel in Tokyo, demonstrate how light can create a sense of peace and sophistication, making him a key player in luxury interior design. He is also notable for fusing Eastern philosophy with modern technology, offering an alternative to the Western approach and proving that light can be quiet yet powerful.
Aman Tokyo, Tokyo apartment
Nowadays, we are increasingly talking about lighting that respects the biological rhythm of the space user – so-called circadian lighting. This innovation, inspired by scientific research on the impact of light on health, is changing the design paradigm. Lighting is no longer just a question of aesthetics or atmosphere but also the well-being of guests – especially in spaces such as wellness centers, bedrooms, or office areas of hotels. This trend shows how the legacy of visionaries such as Le Corbusier, Kelly, and Mende continues to develop, combining the art of light with the practical needs of modern life.
Ask the question Le Corbusier would ask.
So, the next time you’re choosing lighting for your hotel, vacation home, or any space that needs to tell a story – ask yourself a simple question:
“What should the light say to this space?”
If you want to give it silence, use diffuse, warm lighting, as Mende would do. If you want to give it character, choose light that creates contrast and emphasizes forms, in the spirit of Kelly’s “focal glow”. If you want to give it life, combine technology with emotion, following Le Corbusier’s idea that light is not an accessory, but the core of a space. Their visions – from Le Corbusier’s sculptural play of light to Kelly’s functional elegance to Mende’s subtle poetry – together form a mosaic that still shapes the way we experience architecture and design today.
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THERE IS NO HOTEL WITHOUT LIGHT
The story of visionaries who defined the guest experience
When I think of lighting or light in architecture, the name Le Corbusier is inevitably the first that comes to mind. Born Charles-Édouard Jeanneret in 1887 in Switzerland, Le Corbusier was a visionary who revolutionized 20th-century architecture through his radical ideas about urbanism and functionality and his deep understanding of light as an essential design element. century.
For him, light was not just a practical tool – it was a ‘construction’ element as important as concrete, steel, or wood, materials he often used in his works.
His obsession with light is evident in works such as the Chapelle de Ronchamp, where small, colorful windows are strategically placed to create dramatic beams of light that change the interior throughout the day, or in the La Tourette monastery, where light through narrow openings accentuates the texture of the rough concrete walls and creates a sense of spiritual contemplation.
Chapel in Ronchamp
What happens when the sun goes down?
Le Corbusier is famous for his statement that architecture is “the mastery of the correct, magnificent and correct distribution of light.” His contribution lies precisely in his treatment of light as a dynamic, almost sculptural medium.
In modern interior design, especially in hotels, restaurants, and high-class residences, we can no longer rely solely on the sun’s path. Artificial lighting has become an extension of the architectural idea – a means by which we create atmosphere, a sense of luxury, security, or peace. While Le Corbusier ruled over natural light, modern lighting designers have taken up the torch in the world of artificial lighting, bringing new perspectives and techniques.
This brings us to experts like Richard Kelly (1910–1977), an American pioneer of modern lighting design and one of the key figures in this field. His contribution is not only technical but also conceptual – he introduced the idea of three types of light: general (ambient luminescence), accent (focal glow) ,and decorative (play of brilliants). This classification became the basis for understanding how lighting can shape the experience of a space.
Seagram Building in New York
He worked with architects such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe , whose minimalist structures – such as the Seagram Building in New York – he enriched with lighting that emphasized the purity of lines and materials. His collaboration with the greats of modernism demonstrates his significance, but what makes him especially noteworthy is the universality of his ideas.
His advice is not only reserved for elite projects – it is also applicable to everyday spaces. In a hotel lobby, for example, Kelly’s focal glow creates a warmth and depth that invites guests, while a play of brilliants in a restaurant can add drama and sophistication.
Artificial lighting with soul
Another voice that stands out is that of Kaora Mende , a Japanese lighting designer whose work reflects the subtlety and deep connection to Japan’s cultural heritage. Mende, founder of Lighting Planners Associates, is known for his approach to “invisible” lighting – light that supports a space without dominating it. Inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetics, where light often comes indirectly through shoji screens, Mende uses lighting as a dramaturgy of space, adapting it to emotion, function, and time of day.
His projects, such as the Aman Hotel in Tokyo, demonstrate how light can create a sense of peace and sophistication, making him a key player in luxury interior design. He is also notable for fusing Eastern philosophy with modern technology, offering an alternative to the Western approach and proving that light can be quiet yet powerful.
Aman Tokyo, Tokyo apartment
Nowadays, we are increasingly talking about lighting that respects the biological rhythm of the space user – so-called circadian lighting. This innovation, inspired by scientific research on the impact of light on health, is changing the design paradigm. Lighting is no longer just a question of aesthetics or atmosphere but also the well-being of guests – especially in spaces such as wellness centers, bedrooms, or office areas of hotels. This trend shows how the legacy of visionaries such as Le Corbusier, Kelly, and Mende continues to develop, combining the art of light with the practical needs of modern life.
Ask the question Le Corbusier would ask.
So, the next time you’re choosing lighting for your hotel, vacation home, or any space that needs to tell a story – ask yourself a simple question:
“What should the light say to this space?”
If you want to give it silence, use diffuse, warm lighting, as Mende would do. If you want to give it character, choose light that creates contrast and emphasizes forms, in the spirit of Kelly’s “focal glow”. If you want to give it life, combine technology with emotion, following Le Corbusier’s idea that light is not an accessory, but the core of a space. Their visions – from Le Corbusier’s sculptural play of light to Kelly’s functional elegance to Mende’s subtle poetry – together form a mosaic that still shapes the way we experience architecture and design today.
