Ice Factory by Studio TRACE is a finalist in the Interior Lighting category at the LiDAI Lighting Awards 2024 — an adaptive lighting design that reshapes a historic structure into a multi-sensory cultural experience.
In the heart of Mumbai’s Ballard Estate, the once-industrial Ice Factory has been reborn as IF.BE—a cultural, exhibition, and culinary hub. At the core of this transformation is a nuanced lighting design by Studio TRACE that respects history while embracing innovation.
At IF.BE, lighting is not an accessory—it is the very framework of experience. Studio TRACE masterfully layers illumination to match the building’s architectural rhythm, enabling each space to shift moods without losing its essence. The luminaires are discreet by design—meticulously placed and engineered with beam angles that prevent visual distraction or glare. The result is a seamless visual environment that invites visitors to engage more deeply with material, scale, and space.
The main exhibition hall is an ode to flexibility. The lighting here is dynamic—fixtures can be dimmed, rotated, or repositioned with ease. From art shows to performance theatre, the space adapts effortlessly. Meanwhile, in the restaurant and bar, the lighting evokes warmth and texture. Burma teak, exposed stone, and brick surfaces glow softly under carefully calibrated luminance, honoring the site’s industrial legacy while creating a modern-day sanctuary.
Externally, architectural features like the façade, chimney, and surrounding streetscape are gently accentuated, rooting the project within its urban context. Each lighting detail contributes to a fluid journey through the space—one that’s immersive, but never overwhelming.
About the Firm: Studio TRACE
Studio TRACE is a Mumbai-based lighting design practice founded by internationally acclaimed designer Tripti Sahni. With a Master’s in Lighting Design from Parsons School of Design, New York, and accolades including the 40under40 Lighting Award and the EDIDA Elle Decor Design Award, Tripti brings a rare fusion of technical expertise and poetic sensibility to architectural lighting.
The studio’s design ethos revolves around enhancing spatial narratives through light. Whether it’s a historic retrofit or a new-age commercial space, Studio TRACE creates immersive environments by focusing on materiality, scale, rhythm, and human experience. Their work spans cultural spaces, high-end residences, hospitality, and bespoke lighting products.
Studio TRACE emphasizes local craftsmanship, advanced lighting controls, and sustainable design. Their projects—both in India and internationally—demonstrate how light can be a powerful medium of storytelling, texture, and transformation.
