The Role of Lighting Design in Enhancing the Dining Experience in Hard Rock Café and Texas Chicken Restaurant in Dubai

Abstract

 The focus of this research is on the impacts of lighting design on the dining experience of teenagers between ages 12-17, with particular focus on both ends of the restaurant spectrum: Texas Chicken and Hard Rock Café. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach where objective measures of illumination (lux) and color temperature (degree Kelvin) were computed alongside qualitative data from participant interviews and observations guided through the structure. The subset of the initial sample contained 5 participants (3 females and 2 males) who went to both restaurants for dinner and recorded their activities which included moving through the entrance, ordering counter, and dining area observing their experiences. Participants’ self-assessment was integrated with the objective data obtained using a light meter to measure the illumination level of the restaurant. Participants, on the other hand, commented on the ambience, comfort, visibility, and experience. The findings showed that the two restaurants differed considerably with regard to the lighting styles used, placing Hard Rock Café as the more lit and warmer space, with greater illumination value and color temperature as well as richer variety of fixture and lighting types. Participants reported greater appreciation for ambience and comfort at these levels. The results indicate that inappropriate lighting may impede satisfaction and psychological well-being among teenagers while appropriate design may bolster these factors.