Perfect Storm Dubai Hills Mall, UAE Rollercoaster, United Arab Emirates Adventure Ride, Architecture News, Photos

The Perfect Storm in Dubai Hills Mall

15 June 2022

Design: Pharos Controls Limited

Location: Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai, UAE

The Perfect Storm Dubai Hills Mall

Photos: Courtesy of Creation Gulf

The Perfect Storm, Dubai

The recently opened Dubai Hills Mall is a glamorous destination in a popular tourist spot, offering plenty of opportunities for shopping, dining and entertainment. It is also home to The Storm, the fastest indoor rollercoaster in the city; an adventurous ride that stands 50 metres tall.

The Perfect Storm Dubai

Showcasing the latest innovations in engineering, The Storm features a jaw dropping vertical launch to 50 metres in just 5 seconds. The 670 metre track weaves throughout the entire mall building, making it a spectacle to watch and a unique experience for riders.

The Perfect Storm Dubai

Leading operator of exclusive experiences Emaar Entertainment created the concept of the rollercoaster set into the heart of the shopping mall. They appointed engineering experts Cundall to design and deliver The Storm. As the lead design consultant, Cundall provided a range of services including structural engineering and lighting design.

The Perfect Storm Dubai

To fulfil the design, Creation Gulf were brought into the project. As a leading provider of architectural lighting and systems, Creation Gulf worked closely with the design and engineering teams to enhance the experience of The Storm.

Perfect Storm Dubai

Creation Gulf were able to utilise the comprehensive portfolio of products from lighting control experts Pharos Architectural Controls to deliver the brief, comprising multiple dynamic lighting effects on the façade, including the most important effect of all: replicating lightning as found in an actual storm. Additional content was also created to simulate fireworks, the UAE flag, and other effects.

The Perfect Storm Dubai

For the interior visuals of the rollercoaster, Creation Gulf provided a system capable of creating multiple effects simultaneously in different areas. The two main parts of the system were the Programmable RGB Linear Fixture installed on the wall, and the RGBW Pixel String which was integrated into the track itself.

The Perfect Storm Dubai

To achieve these awe-inspiring results, four different Pharos products were used by Creation Gulf – the LPC 20 (Lighting Playback Controller 20), VLC 250 (Video Playback Controller 250), RIO 80 (Remote Input Output 80) and EDN 20 (Ethernet Data Node 20).

The compact yet powerful LPC 20 allows for the building of dynamic, precise, and tailored pre-programmed lighting effects. The VLC 250 provides expert capabilities matched with cost effectiveness for large LED pixel arrays. The RIO 80 provides a convenient and scalable interface unit for volt free relay contact from the rollercoaster, while the EDN 20 offers Ethernet-distributed DMX ports for large control projects.

Perfect Storm Dubai

These Pharos products work in perfect harmony to deliver dynamic lighting on the huge scale required to provide an unrivalled experience to visitors of The Storm. The Pharos system also had to integrate seamlessly with the audio visual, building management and rollercoaster systems, as well as the back of house lighting controls, fire alarm and front of house (non-DMX) control system – which it did.

Mark de Gruyter, Regional Sales Manager – EMEA at Pharos Architectural Controls, says: “The Storm is an impressive engineering feat that offers rollercoaster fans a truly special experience. An important part of this is the lighting, creating effects that offer a truly immersive and all-encompassing rollercoaster ride.

The Perfect Storm Dubai Hills Mall

The Perfect Storm Dubai Hills Mall

“The Pharos control system was integral to The Storm’s success, and we we’re confident that Creation Gulf can rely on any system that is designed and delivered using our award-winning portfolio of products.”

The Storm has become a destination in its own right, attracting thrill-seekers to the Dubai Hills Mall from all over the world.

The Perfect Storm Dubai Hills Mall

The Perfect Storm Dubai Hills Mall

The Perfect Storm in Dubai Hills Mall, UAE – Building Information

Architectural lighting control system supply and programming: Creation Gulf
Client: Emaar Entertainment
Engineering consultant: Cundall

About Pharos Controls Limited
Pharos Architectural Controls – https://www.pharoscontrols.com/ is an award-winning British manufacturer of dynamic lighting control solutions for architecture and other specialist industries. Our products are highly flexible, versatile and powerful, and trusted to run day and night illuminating iconic installations around the world – from international landmarks and historic architecture to theme parks, airports, stadiums, bridges, shopping malls, art installations, and more.

Pharos is part of the Carallon group of companies, an independently-owned product development house specialising in innovative control systems. Its design team is the best of its kind – a group of highly motivated individuals committed to the creation and ongoing development of industry-leading products. Within that team is a wealth of experience in the field of advanced control solutions, with principal members responsible for ground-breaking entertainment lighting control consoles, architectural lighting systems and video processing technology.
More information can be found at

Perfect Storm Dubai

Photography: Courtesy of Creation Gulf

The Perfect Storm, Dubai Hills Mall images/information received 150622

Location: Dubai, UAE

Dubai Architecture

Dubai Architecture Designs – chronological list

Dubai Building News

Al Seef Dubai Creek Master Plan
Architects: GAJ (Godwin Austen Johnson)
Al Seef Dubai Creek heritage buildings
photograph : Chris Goldstraw
Al Seef Dubai Creek

Dubai Architecture Tours by e-architect

Aljada’s Central Hub, Sharjah, UAE
Design: Zaha Hadid Architects
Aljadas Central Hub in Sharjah UAE
image courtesy of architects
Aljada Sharjah

Sharjah Architecture Triennial
Sharjah Architecture Triennial UAE
photo : Ieva Saudargaitė
Sharjah Architecture Triennial News

Al Seef Dubai Project
Architects: 10 DESIGN
Al Seef Dubai project
photograph : Gerry O’Leary
Al Seef Dubai Project

1/JBR Tower
Design: EDGE Architects
1/JBR Tower
image courtesy of architects
1/JBR Tower Dubai

DP World Cargospeed
Architects: Foster + Partners
DP World Cargospeed in Dubai UAE
image Courtesy architecture office
DP World Cargospeed Dubai Building

Comments / photos for the The Perfect Storm, Dubai Hills Mall design by Pharos Controls Limited page welcome

Website: Dubai Hills Mall