Oasis in the Sky | Jingyida Crafts a Model of Dubai’s LUMENA Supertall Landmark

1. Project Background and Key Challenges

Project Overview

Developed by Dubai-based OMNIYAT, LUMENA is a visionary supertall commercial landmark and a follow-up to The Opus by OMNIYAT. Its sculptural, flowing form, curved glass façade, staggered sky balconies, and free-form roof create a distinctive “oasis in the sky.” The tower combines premium offices, a private club, business amenities, a sky theater, and podium retail. Located in the heart of Dubai’s Business Bay near major transport links, it is a defining project for the city’s future.

The model was built at 1:75 scale and stands 4.9 meters tall. At this size, even minor flaws become visible, so the model had to reproduce the curved glass façade, free-form roof, 3D-printed sky balconies, hand-finished acrylic floor plates, landscape lighting, dynamic RGB running lights, and podium retail in full. Shenzhen Jingyida Architectural Model Co., Ltd. undertook the commission, drawing on extensive experience with landmark models to capture the building and its forward-looking commercial architecture.

二、2. Jingyida’s Custom Modelmaking Solution

Project Assessment

The main challenges included high-precision control at large scale, a multi-stage process for the fully curved curtain wall, complex roof shaping, embedded RGB lighting, integration of 3D-printed balconies with hand-finished components, and detailed scenes throughout the model. Jingyida used CNC machining for the base forms, hand-finished the curves, and combined custom façade processes, embedded lighting, selective 3D printing, and detailed manual assembly to reproduce the original design.

3. Full-Scale Implementation

1. A 4.9-Meter Model with Exceptional Detail

At 4.9 meters tall, the model makes every façade detail, curve, joint, and layer of lighting visible, leaving little room for error. Jingyida built a precise digital model from the architectural drawings and calibrated the proportions and vertical lines, establishing a high-precision basis for forming curved surfaces, assembling components, and finishing details without distortion.

2、2. A Multi-Stage Custom Process for the Fully Curved Glass Façade

The curved glass façade required a dedicated multi-stage process. The raw glass was cleaned, pressed into a mold to reproduce the original curve, divided into sections, cut precisely to size, and finished by hand with high-transparency solar film. Careful control at every stage produced a smooth, consistent façade with a refined transparent finish.

3、3. Hand-Finished Curved Roof to Recreate the Free-Form Silhouette

The complex roof combines molded forms with detailed hand finishing. Jingyida corrected the curvature section by section and refined each transition to remove abrupt changes and visible joints. This reproduced the irregular, intersecting curves of the roof and its distinctive architectural profile.

4、4. 3D-Printed Balconies and Hand Assembly Recreate the Sky Gardens

Only the sky balconies were custom-made with 3D printing to match their precise cantilevers and curves. Each component was sanded to remove print texture, then carefully fitted to the tower by hand. Custom illuminated planting on the balcony floors brings the sky gardens to life and conveys the building’s layered ecology.

5、5. Seamless Dynamic RGB Lighting on the Façade

RGB running lights follow the curves of the façade, with concealed wiring and close-fitting installation. Jingyida controlled the component joints to prevent light leaks and exposed strips, then tuned the color transitions and movement over several rounds to create a smooth, continuous rhythm across the building.

6、6. Detailed Scenes Show the Full Mixed-Use Plan

The model recreates key amenities, including the sky theater, reflecting pools, and premium podium retail. From the retail layout and water textures to the elevated public spaces, the model conveys the project’s integration of business, art, commerce, and ecology.

4. Project Results | Visual Evidence

四、5. Lessons for the Industry

1. The Larger the Landmark Model, the More Important Precision Becomes

At 4.9 meters, small deviations that might go unnoticed on a compact model become highly visible. Large landmark models require consistent precision from the start: scale calibration, curve correction, and component alignment must all be controlled to keep lines regular and prevent distortion.

2. A Curved Glass Façade Requires a Dedicated Multi-Stage Process

Flat glass cannot reproduce the sculptural curves of a contemporary supertall. This project demonstrates the need for a complete process: cleaning, molding, precision cutting, and hand-applied film. No single machine can produce the finished effect. Molding and skilled manual work together ensure smooth curves, clear surfaces, and refined reflections.

3、3. Complex Free-Form Roofs Benefit from Hand Finishing

A machine-formed roof with many intersecting curves can appear stiff and uneven. Molding the initial form and refining each surface by hand makes it possible to adapt to complex geometry and correct curves in several directions, creating a more fluid architectural silhouette.

4. Use 3D Printing Selectively for the Components that Need It

Premium models do not require every component to be 3D printed. For LUMENA, the technique was reserved for the complex sky balconies that are difficult to reproduce by hand. The main curved surfaces, façade, and roof use established molds and hand-finishing. Selective use improves accuracy while controlling the model’s overall quality and cost.

5、5. Lighting Should Follow the Façade and Integrate Seamlessly

Dynamic RGB lighting must fit the façade precisely. High-end landmark models require strips that follow the curves without gaps, leaks, or exposed wiring. Programmed color and movement should extend the building’s lines, integrating light with the architecture rather than treating it as separate decoration.

6、6. A Landmark Model Unifies Form, Materials, Lighting, and Setting

A premium architectural model communicates more than a building’s exterior; it also conveys the project’s broader planning value. Precise curves, refined façade materials, dynamic light, hand-finished components, and a rich commercial setting work together to express the design intent and future urban role of a landmark.

五、6. About Jingyida

Shenzhen Jingyida Architectural Model Co., Ltd. has spent more than a decade creating premium architectural models worldwide. Its work spans Dubai, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, the Philippines, Vietnam, and other markets. Jingyida partners with leading practices including ZHA, MAD, Kengo Kuma & Associates, SOM, KPF, and HOK, and serves major developers including China Resources Land, China Overseas Land & Investment, Poly Developments, Greentown, and Sun Hung Kai Properties.

The Dubai LUMENA model successfully addressed the curved glass façade, free-form roof, RGB lighting, integration of 3D-printed balconies with hand-built elements, and detailed mixed-use scenes. The project further demonstrates Jingyida’s capabilities in high-end supertall landmark models.

Jingyida will continue refining handcraft, lighting design, and fabrication for complex components, bringing mature production methods and careful execution to landmark projects around the world.

Shenzhen Jingyida Architectural Model Co., Ltd.

Contact: Yang Zhifu, General Manager

Phone (also available on WeChat): +86 135 1065 4351