JING Scottsdale - A New Kind of Hospitality

JING Scottsdale represents an ambitious, and complex installation defined by rapid adaptation, technical problem-solving, and exceptional creativity.

Through collaboration with Duskworks, the JING Scottsdale location demonstrates how integrating theatrical lighting technologies with architectural systems can amplify a space. These spaces create a living and responsive experience that engages guests rather than simply accommodating them.  

What emerged is a large-scale lighting system that integrates hundreds of lighting elements throughout a luxury restaurant environment, delivering both visual impact and operational flexibility. But the path to completion was anything but straightforward. 

The Vision: Duality by Design

JING Scottsdale was designed to incorporate dual identities within a single space.

The architectural style leaned toward opulence, with gold finishes, rich textures, and tailored sculptural elements, reflecting a distinctly upscale aesthetic. But beneath that elegance, the facility envisioned an effortless transformation from tranquil dining experience to trendsetting nightclub.

By day, it would provide a warm, intimate dining atmosphere.
By night, it would offer vibrance with energy, color, and movement.

The balance between elegance and expression became the basis of lighting design.

“They wanted to bring a feeling into the space where it starts as something nice, warm, and subtle. Then, over time, transition that environment into something much more energetic and dynamic, almost like a full-on club. It was really about building that progression into the experience so it could evolve naturally throughout the night.” - Zak Suddjian, Managing Member, Duskworks

A Project in Transition

By the time Duskworks was introduced to the project, much of the initial work had already been completed. The original integrator had stepped away from the project, creating a critical gap in both execution and lighting expertise.

The previous vendor represented that the proposed solution would meet the project's needs. After their departure from the project, JING engaged Duskworks, and the team identified underlying design and infrastructure challenges.

“It started out honestly as just a straight sale — we were just going to provide some product — and then all these questions started coming up as we got deeper into it. As we uncovered more of what was happening on the project, it became clear that things weren’t aligning the way they needed to. It turned into a much larger effort where we were stepping in to help rethink and redesign the system.” - Zak Suddjian, Managing Member, Duskworks

The team discovered that critical aspects of the design had not been fully resolved:

• Product specifications included discontinued components
• Data infrastructure could not support the required distances
• Power distribution had not been adequately planned
• Control systems lacked the flexibility the client expected
• Reviewing architectural drawings that often did not match reality
• Requesting field measurements and photographs from installers
• Making design decisions in real time based on evolving site conditions

Unlike many projects, where the design drives execution, the Duskworks team faced a reversed scenario, where construction had already passed the point of major structural changes.

Walls were framed, ceilings were installed, and conduits were pulled. Many decisions had already been made, and the team had to work within those constraints.

This required an adaptive and creative approach. Instead of restarting the lighting design from scratch, the team worked off continuous feedback:

“Reality was very different from what was on paper, so it quickly became a lot of triage as we got into the project. We were constantly evaluating what was actually possible based on the conditions we were finding on site and adjusting the design in real time. It turned into a process of problem-solving day by day to keep everything moving forward and still deliver the best result we could.” Zak Suddjian, Managing Member, Duskworks

This approach shaped nearly every aspect of the project, from hardware selection to system layout.

Infrastructure Challenges

One of the most significant challenges was reconciling the limitations of the existing infrastructure with the performance requirements of the lighting system.

The original plan assumed centralized control, with long data runs connecting lighting elements back to a primary control location. However, these distances exceeded practical limits.

“We realized pretty quickly that certain runs were just too far—like 200 feet—and we weren’t going to be able to handle that with data the way it had been planned. That forced us to rethink how we were distributing control and where we needed to place equipment throughout the space. It became a matter of reworking the infrastructure so the system could actually perform reliably in the real-world conditions.” - Zak Suddjian, Managing Member, Duskworks

To resolve this, the team pivoted to a distributed system design, introducing multiple new power and control locations throughout the space that required additional coordination during construction, including mid-project modifications.

Despite the constraints, the final system achieved a significant level of scale and complexity.

The installation included:

• Approximately 100 universes of pixel-controlled lighting
• Roughly 12,000 watts of LED power
• Dozens of integrated architectural features

“We ended up driving a tremendous amount of control through the system—close to 100 universes in total. That level of scale gave us the flexibility to treat different areas independently while still tying everything together as one cohesive environment. It also meant we had the infrastructure in place to support a wide range of looks without being limited by the system.” - Zak Suddjian, Managing Member, Duskworks

This level of capacity provided the client with a wide range of visual possibilities, but it also introduced new challenges in system management and programming.

With installation nearing completion, the focus shifted to programming. This phase proved just as demanding as the physical build.

The complexity of the system, combined with the constraints of time and budget, meant that programming had to be both efficient and flexible.

Initially, the team considered a simplified approach, but client expectations required a more dynamic level of control. This led to the adoption of an ETC Mosaic-based solution.

Programming involved:

• Creating multiple lighting scenes
• Balancing intensity, color, and movement
• Building a system of triggers and variables
• Refining looks through continuous iteration

“We kind of just took what we thought the space was supposed to feel like and started by roughing in some initial looks. From there, it became a process of testing ideas, reacting to what we saw in the space, and refining things over time.” - Zak Suddjian, Managing Member, Duskworks

Designing for Experience, Not Just Illumination

One of the most important aspects of the project was perfecting how lighting influenced the human experience.

Unlike theatrical performances, where audiences focus on a stage, hospitality and architectural environments are immersive and participatory. Guests are part of the scene. Lighting must therefore operate on a subconscious level, enhancing without overwhelming, which requires a nuanced approach to intensity, color, and timing.

The Power of Transformation

Luxury hospitality environments, like JING Scottsdale, provide a unique experience that often requires extremely low light levels while maintaining visibility and fostering a sense of intimacy.

Operating at such low intensities requires precise control, pushing the system to its limits. Colors have to remain rich and legible even when output is minimal, and transitions have to feel smooth and intentional.

As evening transitions into night, the lighting system begins to evolve.

Colors deepen, movement increases, and the architectural features come alive.

Warm, natural tones give way to cooler palettes of purples, blues, and saturated hues reminiscent of nightlife environments. Subtle shifts compound over time, creating a sense of progression rather than abrupt change.

“You really start to feel like it’s a different space as it flows throughout the day. It shifts gradually, so what you experience in the afternoon isn’t the same as what you feel later in the evening. That sense of change keeps the environment engaging and makes each visit feel unique.” Jun Bernal, Systems Technical Specialist, Duskworks

The gradual transformation is what makes the experience feel seamless. Guests may not consciously notice each change, but it affects their energy, mood, and perception of the space.

Flexibility and Operational Integration
Beyond visual design, the system needed to function reliably within a live restaurant environment. The Duskworks team synced their design with existing lighting systems, coordinated with AV and control platforms, and provided operational training for staff.

The client required a high degree of direct control to adjust lighting in real time. In support of this, the Duskworks team implemented remote access capabilities, enabling ongoing updates without requiring on-site presence.

The system was specifically designed with layered control capabilities:

• Pre-programmed scenes for daily operation
• Real-time overrides for custom moments
• Remote access for ongoing adjustments
• Integrate early to maximize opportunities and reduce constraints
• Design for perception, not just technical capability
• Embrace flexibility, allowing systems to evolve post-install
• Show rather than tell—clients respond best to visual demonstrations

“One of the major asks from the client was that they wanted to be able to have independent control of everything. For example, they might want everything to be magenta and want it to be vibey and have it for that business day. So there’s this level of ‘How do we account for something that’s stable and programmed and looks good and runs for day-to-day operations’ but at the drop of a hat can pivot to a chase with magenta and cyan.” - Zak Suddjian, Managing Member, Duskworks

This flexibility ensures that JING can evolve its space for special events, shifting moods and identity, or new creative ideas, without requiring physical changes to the space.

Key Project Takeaways

The project reinforced several key principles relevant to both architectural and entertainment lighting professionals:

• Integrate early to maximize opportunities and reduce constraints
• Design for perception, not just technical capability
• Embrace flexibility, allowing systems to evolve post-install
• Show rather than tell—clients respond best to visual demonstrations

Most importantly, it highlighted the value of cross-disciplinary thinking. By combining theatrical creativity with architectural precision, designers can create environments that resonate deeply with users.

Final Thoughts: Amplifying Space Through Light

JING Scottsdale stands as a testament to what can be achieved through persistence, adaptability, and technical expertise.

Despite entering a project midstream, facing infrastructure mismatches, budget limitations, and construction challenges, the Duskworks team delivered a fully realized lighting system that meets both operational and aesthetic goals.

The project’s success lies not only in its final result, but in the process itself: a continuous effort to solve problems, refine ideas, and execute under pressure.

What emerged is more than a completed installation. It is a functional, scalable system that continues to support the restaurant’s identity and evolution. Demonstrating the power of thoughtful design and collaborative problem-solving in even the most complex project environments.