Airstar to light up Qatar National Day
Published: MEA
QATAR: Airstar Middle East has once again been called in to provide its lighting solutions for the Qatar National Day celebrations. The event will see 80 of the French manufacturer’s Pixocom outdoor architectural lighting balloons put to use.
Following a successful deployment for the 2014 event, lighting designer Marcin Michna contacted the manufacturer’s Dubai office to provide a custom-made solution. ‘The lighting designer insisted on tungsten for the best rendering on sand, so we are supplying 4k and 8k tungsten Pixocoms with diameters of 2m and 3m,’ said Airstar Middle East managing director, Hicham Lalmi. ‘The illumination is absolutely unique and Qatar is the first ever country to attempt such a project.’
Mr Lalmi describes the project as ‘very challenging with such a spectacular effect’ and insists that because Airstar understands the importance of the event, it is taking its participation very seriously. ‘From the decision to go ahead, we had to create a unique product matching the needs of the lighting designer. It has been a tremendous effort from the engineers and production management at the Airstar factory, not to mention the suppliers to make this happen and deliver everything on time.’
With the custom lights delivered, the challenge became ensuring everything was installed and working correctly ahead of the celebrations. ‘Once the goods arrived in Qatar, the challenge was to set them up in a very short time. We had one week to place 80 Pixocoms,’ stated Mr Lalmi. ‘The Airstar technicians have done a wonderful job in a short time.’
With the solution installed, Mr Lalmi reports that it has won over people who may have had initial reservations. ‘The main contractor was very doubtful about the product and the result, but once the lights were on, they started to look at us more seriously.’
As for his own opinions, the Airstar Middle East MD is very happy with the result. ‘From an empty space, you have now a designed relief and a place that is just magic and breath taking.’