The Reserve is a state-of-the-art asset centre in Singapore that houses a wealth of assets such as gold, silver, art, and more. The building was completed in 2024 for clients Silver Bullion, and can store almost 500 million troy ounces (15,500 metric tonnes) of precious metals, earning it the title of the world’s highest storage capacity. The high storage capacity is made possible via the foundations, which allow the vault’s floors to withstand up to 45 times more weight than a typical car park structure, allowing silver to be stacked as high as 12-metres tall.

The building itself stands as a glistening black monolith, made of transparent onyx panels envisioned by architects Monolab Studio, whose design is a metaphor for the robust precious metals within and the transparency inherent in the distributed financial technologies of the future. Designed as a play on contrasts to captivate, the onyx-clad fortress radiates a luminous elegance both within and beyond, masterfully harnessing light.

Tasked with designing the lighting for The Reserve was Singapore-based lighting consultant Light Collab, which bravely bid for the chance to work on the project despite never designing for vaults before.

After a successful interview with the client, architect, and interior designer, the team was given the go-ahead to join the board and was briefed on Monolab Studio’s vision of a luminous façade.

Light Collab saw great potential in the project’s wow factor and cinematic value, envisioning the venue as a prime location for films. The space offers so much drama as soon as visitors enter the space, experiencing its cave-like feel, high-tech nature, and mysterious labyrinth of corridors, which create a futuristic look contrasted with a hospitality twist.

Lighting designer, founder, and Principal of Light Collab, Yah Li Toh, explains to arc how the team planned to bring this concept to life: “We built upon the strong architectural foundation set by Monolab Studio, enhancing their material palette and spatial composition with carefully curated lighting.

“The challenge was balancing intricate detailing with large-scale spatial considerations, ensuring that every lighting element, from subtle accents to dramatic washes, worked harmoniously. Our approach involved meticulous planning, extensive prototyping, and seamless integration of lighting within the architectural fabric to bring the cinematic vision to life.”

The onyx-clad façade serves as the defining element of this vision, creating a striking contrast between solidity and illumination. By day, the dark, polished exterior exudes a sense of strength and exclusivity, while by night, strategically integrated lighting transforms the surface into a glowing beacon. This design approach not only establishes The Reserve as a landmark, but also reflects a seamless interplay between luxury, modernity, and the natural beauty of its materials.

The façade lighting was one of the greatest challenges that Light Collab had to face, with the architect envisioning the onyx façade to have dual visibility from the outside, and the inside, meaning each onyx panel had no backing. However, behind the façades lies various spaces with numerous functions, such as lobbies, meeting rooms, lounge areas, and a rooftop garden. Ultimately this limited the position of where Light Collab could mount lighting fixtures.

Toh explains: “Due to the nature of the panels and the various spaces situated behind it, we had to conduct studies. This meant testing to understand the interior lighting’s spill of light, the blank walls, or how we conceal the lights while making them easy to maintain, all while keeping the power consumption as low as possible.”

To achieve the desired effect, Light Collab developed a bespoke solution: customised LED modules with integrated optics, carefully engineered to direct light precisely onto the onyx surface. These modules were seamlessly integrated into the façade frames, ensuring all illumination was focused on the panels, while keeping luminaires concealed from view.

Through extensive testing and iterative mock-ups, the team refined the lighting strategy to balance the aesthetics, functionality, and energy efficiency. Early trials included multiple horizontal LED bars per onyx panel, however, the design was gradually optimised to require just a single horizontal LED bar per panel – significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining a striking visual impact. The reflective nature of the onyx presented a second challenge, which was addressed with customised capping to refine reflections, resulting in a shimmering, jewel-like effect rather than unwanted glare. This meticulous approach allowed The Reserve to transform at dusk, evolving into a radiant illuminated structure – an architectural statement that alludes to the wealth and security housed within.

A key highlight within the building is its 30-metre-tall Silver Vault, where glistening stacked silver is stored on towering 16-metre shelves. The challenge was twofold: creating an immersive, dramatic experience for visitors while ensuring the vault remained fully functional for daily operations and security protocols.

“The racks inside the Silver Vault had a skeletal and industrial look, therefore we decided they needed to be improved by dressing them up with the right lighting. We decided to illuminate the racks vertically and given the narrow space between the aisles, we also needed to consider the mounting options, therefore luminaires were mounted on top of the racks,” comments Toh.

By strategically mounting the luminaires at the top, the towering racks created a vertical wash of light that accentuated the shimmering silver. The result is a breathtaking play of light and reflection, which transforms the vault into a striking symbol of wealth and security that is visible both from the ground floor and the dramatic vantage point  of The Silver Cliff, a suspended, glass-floored viewing room on level five. The suspended meeting pod offers an unparalleled perspective on The Reserve’s wealth-protection concept.

Here, the lighting had to complement the sense of grandeur that the vault offers while maintaining an unobtrusive presence. Soft and indirect lighting enhances the sleek, futuristic design of the pod, ensuring that the focus remains on the dramatic view of vast amounts of silver below.

Toh adds: “The team was used to 6000K colour temperature in the vaults previously and thus, it is quite a feat to have warmer colour temperature instead.”

While The Reserve is a high-security facility, it also offers office and lounge spaces, designed to evoke luxurious hospitality. The intention behind this section of the design was to create the right balance between warm and welcoming ambience, and functionality, which could promote ease and productivity among its employees. Carefully integrated layers of lighting, including cove lighting, warm downlights, and subtle accent fixtures, create a refined yet comfortable environment.

Toh adds: “Designing lighting for a workspace that also evokes a hospitality feel can be challenging. The challenge of such spaces primarily will be the client’s and user expectations, as most of the time, the finishes used will be darker and contrasting to create the mood. However, people still expect the space to be bright. The layers of lighting are still similar, a balance of indirect and direct lighting, with careful integration.”

The onyx façade also plays a dynamic role in the interior lighting experience. By day, sunlight filters through the onyx panels, casting a soft yet diffused glow into the space within. This effect, while stunning, also presented its challenges.

“The onyx façade is quite translucent, allowing natural light to filter into the interior when it is sunny. This daylight can be intense, creating a strong contrast between the illuminated façade and the darker interior, where objects appear in silhouette. We were somewhat surprised by the extent of daylight penetration, but rather than trying to compete with it, we embraced its effect as part of the overall lighting design.”

The result creates an interesting perspective on the shift of light from day to night, where lighting ultimately creates an inverse effect, where the light is darker during the day and brighter in the evening. During the day, natural light filtered through the onyx façades casts a dark cave-like effect, while at night, artificial lighting transforms and radiates spaces into luminous environments.

The Reserve stands as a remarkable example of how architectural lighting can truly redefine a structure’s status, and the fusion between architecture, technology, and light stands as a testament to collaboration between design fields. Light Collab’s meticulous approach to illumination ensured every element, from the onyx façade to the silver vault, was both visually striking and functional.

Embracing the interplay of natural and artificial light, Toh and her team established the building’s identity within. Its unique transition from day to night lighting establishes The Reserve apart from other workplaces as a grand and luxurious place however, its hospitality and warmth refuse to alienate its inhabitants. Ultimately, The Reserve is more than just a security unit and workplace, it is a bold architectural statement that balances grandeur with usability for its visitors and employees, thanks to its thoughtful lighting scheme. Through light, the building tells a story of contrast, transformation, and timeless design, cementing its place as a landmark in Singapore’s skyline.

www.lightcollab.com