Case Study: Sexy Fish, Dubai

A project that took Unibox into a new market and unexplored territory.

We were approached by a UK holding group who, among other things, own a lot of London’s favourite restaurants, and also a world-renowned chain of restaurants that is expanding internationally.

A group we had worked with on a number of projects in the UK

But this one was different – very different.

The project was to bring to life the lighting element of a décor scheme for a new restaurant in the Middle East.

This marked their first venture into the region—specifically Dubai—and they were eager to involve their key suppliers and partners. The catalyst for initiating discussions was the quality and consistency of the work we had previously delivered. Building on our successful collaboration across their UK sites, combined with our established track record in the Middle East, we were the natural choice for this new project.

The initial round was held in London, and involved the holding group Caprice Holdings, the interior designers MBDS, the lighting designers 18FIFTY, and us.

The biggest challenge we faced was underlighting the agate that would form the floor surface.

We have underlit floors that use mineral-topped surfaces many times, but mostly in situations where the mineral was dark in colour tones.  

In this case, the agate was to be so thin that it was of an almost glass-like transparency, so we not only had to illuminate from below but also design the panels in such as way as the light source – LED lighting strips – would not be visible.

Back in Middleton

Following very productive discussions, we returned to our design and manufacturing base in Manchester

We then set about drawing up several design options and, after internal discussions, set about making a working prototype, free of charge.

It was essential to assess the product on-site and under natural Dubai sunlight, so we arranged for a team to travel there and conduct a comprehensive site visit.

It also gave all parties – including the contractors – the opportunity to review the prototypes we had shipped over to the premises.

This was as much for our own peace of mind as it was to reassure the various parties that their vision could be realised.

A level of attention to detail and commitment to quality that we put into everything we do, whether it’s for a one-off, bespoke solution or something that is of a higher volume and of a more ‘off-the-shelf’ nature.

In this case, we concentrated on not only meeting the need to discreetly illuminate the agate without the light strip being visible, but also on meeting the low energy levels specified.

We also allowed for the bespoke colour temperature to be varied between 2,220K and 4,000K – a temperature range that had to be simple for the end users to adjust in situ.

And to make the visit even more interesting, the night before presenting samples and holding discussions, Dubai suffered torrential rain and woke up, incredibly, to severe flooding.

This put the lifts in the building out of order.

So, in temperatures in excess of 30C°, our people had to carry their samples up 11 storeys to where the restaurant was located.

Back down to London

There followed a number of other meetings – face-to-face and via video – where we presented our further prototypes, samples of components and presented a detailed  comparison between a UK specification and a Dubai specification.

On the strength of what we presented in terms of our understanding of the very different technical specifications for the Middle East, initial designs and costings and prototypes, and what we had achieved in six of the holding group’s UK sites, we were engaged to supply the lighting technology for Dubai.

How we helped turn visions into reality

Given the go-ahead, we then made full use of all our experience and expertise on offer through our in-house development, design, prototyping and manufacturing teams to progress to be ready for packing and shipment to Dubai.

(As the UK’s largest lightbox manufacturer, we regularly make over 500 lightboxes and other products per week.)

This wasn’t a mere order filling and crate packing exercise however, as refinements and changes were being made as the prototyping and manufacturing processes progressed.

What Unibox put into 400 square metres of underlit flooring.

Aside from hard work and dedication, we put in thousands of miles in site visits, meetings and shipping.

Having been awarded the contract, the really hard work began.

And, as we all know, the Devil is in the detail – especially when that ‘detail’ was being installed 3,520 miles away from our premises in Manchester in the UK.

So, as we do with all our projects big or small, we checked and double checked that all the figures and specifications were correct.

When all the parties involved gave us their approvals, we set about the manufacturing process.

Getting our ducks in a row

We started with a ‘shopping list’ – exactly what elements the project called for.

Besides the 400 square metres of the flooring for the main dining area, it required:

• Two illuminated bar tops
• The floor of the reception area (which was on the ground floor, the restaurant was on the 11^th floor)
• Serving staff stations
• Surroundings for the mirrors in the washrooms
• Underlit agate flooring in the Ladies’ washroom

Alongside this we produced detailed and thorough calculations for the energy consumption.

These varied greatly compared to how we calculate energy consumption for UK projects, and had to meet the regulations as they apply in Dubai.

The specification asked for a 30% energy saving against what formerly applied.

The challenge was to achieve this with as little impact on overall performance as possible.

This meant we had to work to a higher specification, but we achieved the saving.

The additional costs this incurred were offset by the energy savings that would be made.

We further balanced out the costs by also reducing the number of transformers – BSV drivers – that would have been used in a UK setting.

The solution we proposed was to use ‘standard’ panels – which would be made to 800mm square.

While these were not off-the-shelf, we had to produce them in such numbers as to make them easy to replicate, allowing us to achieve economies of volume.

But in working with a reduced number of transformers, we had to reassess their locations within the layout and also take care with our cabling plans.

To ensure that we would arrive at the right solution, we shared options relating to the cable layout and number of transformers with the main contractor and the lighting designer.

With the ‘standard’ 800mm square panels filling most of the floor, those at the borders proved a little trickier.

To minimise the number of ‘custom’ units required, we used a detailed floorplan to assess how many of these bespoke border panels could be duplicated.

This resulted in fewer cuts to the perimeter panels, saving us time and the client money.

Our proposed floorplan was accepted and became the production layout which allowed us to go ahead with manufacturing.

Similarly, the wiring diagram was more detailed than we would produce for a UK installation.

This was to meet Dubai building regulations and to help the contractor, as we’d never worked with them before. Our diagram not only showed the routes for the wiring but also indicated termination points.

Having ensured all parties were satisfied with our prototypes, plans and costings, the time had come to make good.

Off the screen and into production

To make the installation go as smoothly as possible, we one again called on the skills and capabilities of our extensive design and manufacturing teams to go into full production.

The production process involved providing power supplies in locked driver cabinets, containing DALI LED controllers.

These allowed for the end user to regulate the dimming and colour tuning of the units.

Again, to help make the installation as easy as possible, we labelled all of the controllers to correspond to notes on the wiring plan.

More detail than we would provide for a UK project, but we were working with a new contractor who was thousands of miles away.

With all the units and other items finished, we then had to take the next step – the logistics of freighting them to the site.

From out of the crate to in situ switch on meant going beyond the extra mile.

With all the more ‘standard’ panels made and ready to ship, we spent some time assessing the various transport options open to us.

It was decided with the main contractor who would be installing the floor, that 80% of the floor panels (the main floor area) were to be shipped by sea to help keep costs down.

The remaining components (mainly those around the perimeter) would be shipped on final approval of the plans relating to their positioning.

Once approved, we shipped these remaining containers by air.

By sea and air, the panels and other parts were shipped in custom made, marine grade crates, designed to maximise use of space and protect the contents.

Nothing left to chance

We had not only issued detailed plans for how the flooring should be installed, but also clearly labelled both the cable runs and controllers to tally with notes on the wiring diagram.

To help further, we also produced a number of ‘how to films’ back at our Middleton facility to show exactly how everything was to be wired up.

Our help got more hands on, as part way into the installation, some of our people went out to supervise and help with the installation of components in the ground floor reception area.

This extended to become similar assistance and on-the-job training for the main contractor for the main eleventh floor element.

We ensured that panels were flash tested before being put in place – essentially, part of the commissioning process

A process that meant that no agate top panel was fitted until everybody agreed that the lighting was operating to their satisfaction.

All right on the night

It was a process that ran very close to the deadline for the grand opening, by which time the floor was operating sufficiently well enough to create the impact and the ambience that Caprice Holdings demanded, and that Sexy Fish Dubai so richly deserved.

During the following weeks, with co-operation between the main contactors, the lighting control company and ourselves, any remaining snags were rectified.

The floor of Sexy Fish Dubai is now a highlight of a truly memorable dining experience in one of the world’s top restaurants, which is now featured in the 2025 Michelin Guide. (https://guide.michelin.com/gb/en/dubai-emirate/dubai/restaurant/sexy-fish-1216229)

The distinctive floor is a vital ingredient in what makes this prestigious restaurant so appetising.

Let’s talk and see if we can work together on creating something that appeals to your taste and satisfies your hunger for quality.

Email info@unibox.co.uk or call on +44(0) 161 655 2100.