Longtime Restaurant
IndonesiaA warm and playful lighting experience at Longtime Restaurant in Bali
Longtime Restaurant, a chic bar and dining spot in Bali from the founders of the Milk & Madu Group, wanted to create an immersive and vibrant dining experience for their guests. The goal was to create a lighting scheme that felt like «a warm blanket hugging the guests,» blending intimacy, sophistication, and playfulness.
The challenge
The interior concept by Brandworks combined contemporary and mid-century aesthetics, and the lighting needed to enhance both the atmosphere and functionality of the space. The design approach required a multi-layered lighting solution to create different ambiance in the dining and bar areas.
A significant challenge was that the restaurant was built within an existing structure. This created difficulties for light placement and cable routing, so the team had to work creatively with the existing walls, columns, and ceiling to deliver a cohesive experience. The solution had to be flexible and reliable, allowing for seamless transitions between different scenes while being easy for the restaurant staff to operate.
The solution: Smart lighting with Helvar
To meet these challenges, a Helvar DALI lighting control system, through our longtime and esteemed partner in Indonesia, PT Hesindo Utama, was selected for its flexibility, reliability, and ease of integration. The system allows for scene-based control, enabling staff to instantly switch from an intimate dining scene to a more vibrant bar scene with the push of a button. The Helvar solution included:
– Helvar 920 DALI Application controller: The central controller for all DALI lighting devices.
– Helvar 454 Four-channel Transistor Dimmer: Provides smooth dimming for various lighting scenes.
– Helvar 498 Eight-channel Relay Unit: Enables reliable switching control for non-dimmable loads.
– Helvar 136W.230S 8-Button Control Panel: Placed in two locations to give staff easy control over pre-programmed scenes.
In the dining area, dim-to-warm lighting was used to create a cozy and sophisticated ambiance. In the bar area, RGB lighting was implemented to create a lively «party vibe». Since downlights were avoided to maintain visual comfort, portable table lamps were used to ensure sufficient illumination.
«The Helvar system gave us the flexibility we needed to create dynamic moods, while keeping control simple for the restaurant team.» – Muhammad Bagir, Nimmersatt Studio
A Darc Awards shortlist project
The innovative lighting design at Longtime Restaurant, was shortlisted for the prestigious Darc Awards in 2024, a testament to the project’s creative and technical excellence.
The result
The combination of the thoughtful lighting design and the Helvar smart control system successfully created a space that dynamically evolves throughout the day and night. Guests enjoy an immersive dining experience, while staff benefit from simple, intuitive controls that reduce operational complexity. The lighting design has become a key part of the brand identity, making Longtime Restaurant a memorable destination in Bali.
«We were delighted to bring Pablo and Jordie’s vision to life. It was fun and experimental work that pushed us creatively.» – Muhammad Bagir, Nimmersatt Studio
All photos courtesy of photographer Indra Wiras, discover more on his Instagram.
Key facts
Project location: Berawa, Bali, Indonesia
Lighting Designer: Nimmersatt Studio
Interior Designer: Brandworks
Helvar Partner: PT Hesindo Utama
Indonesia
