‘Reflective Flow’ World’s longest chandelier / Beau McClellan Design

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’Reflective Flow’ World’s longest chandelier

Designed for the Al Hitmi office development in Doha, Qatar, Reflective Flow, is a unique sculpture by day and an ever-changing chandelier by night. Suspended from a glass atrium between two office complexes, it snakes between the structures. Created from more than 2,300 hand-ground optical crystals and 55,000 LED lights, it is both the largest interactive LED light sculpture in the world and the largest chandelier.

Description

Qatar achieved a Guinness World Record as the stunning “Reflective Flow” was unveiled at the Al Hitmi building on the Corniche and declared the largest chandelier in the world. The chandelier, comprising 2,500 different blocks of light and weighing in at 19,900kg, beat the previous record of 3,000kg.

The artwork features groundbreaking technology, and changes color depending on the ambiance in the building and the moods of the people inside. “Reflective Flow” was designed by Beau McClellan and the Scottish-born designer told Gulf Times that launch represented a “very special moment” for him and his team. With the architecture of the Al Hitmi building based on an outcrop of two rocks, McClellan described his design as “a river of reflection” running through the rocks and keeping with the “organic” theme of the building. Although unable to confirm details, an official stated that discussions were being held for the building to be used by a prominent government authority

Mention chandeliers and most people think of the traditional branched lighting fixture, usually circular and very ornate. That perception is about to change, thanks to a 38.5 metre long lighting installation that snakes through the atrium of new offices built by Hitmi Property Development on The Corniche in Doha, Qatar. Not only is it the world’s largest chandelier, it is also the largest interactive LED light sculpture.

Consisting of 2,300 individually hand ground optical crystals, each shrouded on both sides by high quality pieces of concave glass and covered with a unique reflective coating, Reflective Flow uses some 55,000 LEDs which are controlled by a bespoke, state of the art control system.

During the day, Reflective Flow is an organic art sculpture, constantly changing with its surroundings, but it is at night that it really comes alive. When light is introduced behind the glass frames, the unique coating becomes either fully or semi transparent allowing the sculpture to transform into an incredible ever-changing light piece.

Unusual Rigging and Engineering assisted the Beau McClellan Design team in the planning and execution of the installation, and Steve himself worked with the structural engineers from Beau McClellan Design for some 15 months. After liaising with the Hitmi Property Development engineers on site to identify the load bearing points, he then visited the Beau McClellan Design studio to see the frame of the chandelier being built, which enabled him to devise the complete rigging scheme, including the design of the chandelier’s fixings.

Once the various sections of the chandelier had been delivered to Doha, the actual installation took just over a month, with Steve leading a team of five from Unusual Rigging and Engineering, plus six people from Beau McClellan Design. To hang the upper frame of the chandelier, the Unusual Rigging team was working at a height of 17 metres, on a platform supported by a large scaffold structure. Here the sections were put together – looking rather like an oversize Scalextric track – before being suspended from the cable arrays. The scaffold was then lowered by 5m to enable the team to attach the stainless steel blade before the LEDs and crystals were fitted.

Energy efficiency?

A key principle behind all Beau McClellan’s work is his respect for the environment and all care is taken to ensure the latest in eco-friendly LED technology is incorporated into his work to increase its energy efficiency. For example, optical crystal is used to help magnify the strength of LEDs to avoid using too much energy. If all the colours are turned on full to obtain a white light it uses about the same amount of energy as x 70 (100 watt bulbs).

Data

Name: Reflective Flow
Location: Al Hitmi Property Development, Corniche, Doha, Qatar
Type: Lighting Installation, Pendant light, Organic Art sculpture
Materials: 55,000 LEDs
Materials Combination: Metal + Glass
Dimensions: 38.5 metre long
Colour: Mix / Multi Color
Year: 2010

Award :
largest interactive LED light sculpture in the world and the largest chandelier.

The people

Client / Owner / Developer: The Al Hitmi office development
Lighting Designer: Beau McClellan Design
Supplier of rigging and technical solutions: Unusual Rigging & Engineering LLC
Text Description: © Courtesy of Beau McClellan Design, ledsmagazine
Images: © Beau McClellan Design