Immersive Lighting Design at Biotherm’s Blue Beauty Lab

Written By Anthea Michael

Nestled within the vaulted halls of Monaco’s Musée Océanographique, the Biotherm Blue Beauty Lab is a micro-format, by-appointment-only concept space where science, sustainability, and sensory lighting design converge.

At just 30 m², the design positions the space not as a retail footprint but as an experiential statement, a living laboratory that transforms light into an ocean-inspired journey and reveals Biotherm’s marine-first ethos through a crafted spatial narrative.

The Vision

At Ideaworks, our role as lighting designers was to translate a powerful brand story into light, crafting a visual language that seamlessly moves between daylight clarity, deep-ocean serenity, and intimate reflection. Collaborating with an exceptional creative team, we designed a lighting scheme that goes beyond functional illumination to become an active storytelling medium.

The brief called for a fluid, adaptable lighting experience with four key modes:

  1. Day: A bright, fresh 4000K ambience, echoing open water clarity.

  2. Blue Mode: A saturated, bioluminescent-inspired environment, evoking ocean depths.

  3. Dim: A softer, contemplative state.

  4. All Off: Functional when needed, yet allowing digital content to take full precedence, creating pure visual immersion.

Lighting Design Approach

The lighting design was guided by three key strategies:

  • Seamless Integration with Architecture
    Bespoke T-shaped suspended brackets housed high-powered RGBW linear profiles, washing the arched ceilings in an undulating “wave” effect. Placement and optics were honed through physical mock-ups to ensure fittings remained invisible from all viewing angles, while ceiling finishes maximised reflectance.

  • Dynamic Scene Setting
    RGBW control via DALI and DMX protocols allowed each element - from flexible neon in the circular entrance to backlit feature panels - to shift tone and intensity. Moreover, this adaptability supports brand storytelling and operational needs, transitioning effortlessly between daylight clarity and immersive blue experiences.

  • Precision in Detail
    The team tuned low-level joinery lighting to highlight textures and materials while minimising reflections. They coordinated profiles to millimetre precision, enabling push-fit installation with no visible fixings.

  • The design proposed integrated linear lighting concealed behind the mirrored entrance portal, with a precise 40 mm strip of mirror film removed to create a seamless, continuous glow. This strategy was developed to illuminate the space without visible fittings, preserving the purity of the mirrored walls. Although the full detail was not realised during installation, the concept remained a powerful demonstration of how concealed illumination can merge with reflective surfaces, enhancing both their architectural clarity and spatial depth.

Signature Moments

One of the key design intentions was the Wave Effect Ceiling, where high-level linear profiles concealed within bespoke T-bars simulate the rhythmic refracted light patterns of sunlit water. In Blue Mode, the same control philosophy could shift the effect to rich oceanic hues, offering a dramatic change in atmosphere and spatial perception.

The 2.7 m diameter suspended circular light feature acts as a sculptural centrepiece. Designed as a ring, it allows equipment to be suspended through its central opening. Furthermore, its 300 mm depth houses carefully engineered RGBW light sheets, which create a uniform, hotspot-free glow. This result came through meticulous prototyping and close collaboration with the manufacturer. In addition, the design includes a retractable screen that lowers in front of the windows. As a result, the luminous ring frames the digital media and enhances the viewing experience.

The Technical Backbone

The scheme balances artistry with engineering rigour:

High-quality RGBW and 4000K LED sources (CRI 93+) ensure faithful material rendering.

  • DMX control to drive dynamic wave simulations and colour transitions.

  • DALI control allows precise scene dimming and seamless integration with building systems.

  • Fixtures were specified for durability in high-traffic areas, with IP-rated protection where required.

A Space That Breathes with the Brand

The final result is a space that doesn’t just illuminate objects - it animates the Biotherm narrative. By blending concealed architectural lighting, responsive scene setting, and meticulously detailed joinery, the Blue Beauty Lab offers visitors a layered, cinematic experience. The environment is never static; it ebbs and flows like the tide itself.

Credits

Anthea Michael
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