Lighting up Farsha-a new rooftop restaurant cum cafe in Islamabad

In Pakistan’s restaurant industry, the question is no longer simply whether your food is good — it is whether your space is worth visiting, worth photographing, and worth coming back to. Lighting is the single most powerful tool in answering that question. It shapes the mood the moment a guest steps in, determines how long they stay, and increasingly decides whether their visit becomes a social media post that drives the next hundred reservations.

Farsha Café — a vibrant rooftop restaurant and café in I-8 Markaz, Islamabad — understood this from the outset. The venue was conceived as a full sensory experience: colourful interiors, rooftop seating with city views, and a lighting design that would earn it a reputation as one of Islamabad’s most distinctive dining destinations.

Newon was appointed to deliver the complete lighting solution for Farsha — covering the rooftop deck, indoor architectural spaces, outdoor landscape areas, and a signature feature installation. This case study documents every element of that design, explaining the choices made and the effects achieved.

Whether you are a restaurant or café owner planning your hospitality lighting, an interior designer specifying a hospitality project, or a contractor managing a commercial fit-out, this project demonstrates what a fully considered lighting scheme can achieve in a Pakistani hospitality venue.

Project Overview: Farsha Rooftop Restaurant & Café, I-8 Islamabad

Farsha was designed as a destination venue — not just a place to eat, but a place to spend an evening. The I-8 Markaz location gives it proximity to one of Islamabad’s most active commercial and dining corridors, but the rooftop concept means it needs to earn its footfall through atmosphere as much as cuisine.

The lighting brief had five distinct requirements across the venue:

• Rooftop deck — warm, inviting ambient lighting that makes guests feel relaxed and encourages them to linger
• Bar counter — accent lighting that creates a visual focal point and floating effect
• Indoor spaces — architectural lighting that complements the interior design without dominating it
• Outdoor landscape — accent lighting for planters, railings, and structural elements
• Feature installation — dramatic lighting for the Floating Whale sculptural element

Each zone required a distinct lighting character, but the scheme needed to read as a cohesive whole across the full venue — warm and inviting in the ambient layers, with vibrant purple accents as a unifying colour signature running through multiple zones.

This project sits within Newon’s extensive hospitality lighting portfolio, which includes The Last Tribe (TLT) restaurant chain, Kylix Hotel & Restaurant Shogran, La Terraza Rooftop Centaurus Islamabad, Pranzo Hotel Daharki, and Movenpick Hotel Centaurus Islamabad.

Rooftop Deck Lighting: Warmth, Colour, and Atmosphere

The rooftop deck is where guests spend the majority of their time at Farsha — it is the heart of the venue’s identity, and the lighting scheme here carries the most responsibility for establishing the atmosphere that keeps people returning.

2200K COB Rope Lighting — Perimeter and Bar Counter

The primary ambient lighting across the rooftop deck uses 2200K warm golden COB rope lighting installed along the deck perimeter and underneath the bar counter.

The choice of 2200K — the warmest end of the LED colour temperature spectrum — was deliberate and significant. At 2200K, LED light closely mimics the quality of candlelight or a warm incandescent bulb: golden, soft, and deeply flattering to skin tones and food presentation. It is the colour temperature that makes people feel comfortable, relaxed, and reluctant to leave — which is precisely the objective in a rooftop dining environment.

The under-bar installation creates a floating visual effect — the bar counter appears to hover above a line of warm golden light, adding depth and a sense of considered design detail that elevates the venue’s perceived quality. This is a technique widely used in high-end bars and restaurants internationally, and increasingly standard in Islamabad’s premium hospitality venues.

Newon supplies a range of COB rope lights in warm and colour variants, available online across Pakistan.

Purple Accent Lighting — Colour Signature and Brand Identity

To complement the warm golden ambient base and introduce Farsha’s visual energy and character, contrasting purple lighting accents were introduced across the rooftop space. Purple was selected as the accent colour because it creates a vibrant, contemporary contrast against the warm golden tones — producing the kind of visually layered, Instagram-worthy atmosphere that defines Islamabad’s most-photographed hospitality venues.

The warm-gold-plus-purple combination became Farsha’s visual signature — instantly recognisable in photographs and distinctive enough to set the venue apart from competitors in the I-8 and wider Islamabad dining scene.

Zone	Fixture	Effect
Deck perimeter	2200K COB rope light	Warm golden ambient glow, soft perimeter definition
Under bar counter	2200K COB rope light	Floating bar effect, indirect accent illumination
Throughout rooftop	Purple LED accent lights	Colour signature, vibrant mood contrast

Indoor Architectural Lighting: Profiles, Lines, and Layers

Inside the café, the lighting design shifts from the emotive warmth of the rooftop to a more architectural language — clean lines and considered profile lighting that complement the interior design without competing with it.

Curved Silicone Profile Lighting

Curved silicone profile lighting was installed to follow the flowing architectural lines of the indoor ceiling and wall design. Unlike rigid aluminium profiles, silicone profiles are flexible enough to follow curves, arches, and non-linear architectural elements — producing a continuous line of light that traces the interior geometry.

In a café interior designed for visual interest, curved profile lighting adds a layer of architectural dynamism that flat ceilings with downlights cannot achieve. The lines of light create visual movement, guide the eye through the space, and reinforce the premium feel of the venue.

Newon’s silicone profile lighting range includes flexible, recessed, and corner variants — all available online with delivery across Pakistan.

Linear Aluminium Profile Lighting

Complementing the curved silicone profiles, linear aluminium profile lighting was installed to provide clean, minimal illumination across flat interior surfaces — ceiling sections, shelving, and architectural reveals where a straight, sharp line of light is required.

The combination of curved silicone and straight aluminium profiles creates a layered ceiling lighting language: organic curves in some zones, crisp geometry in others — all unified by the consistent warm colour temperature running through the indoor space. Newon’s LED aluminium profile range covers surface-mounted, recessed, corner, and suspended variants for every interior application.

Zone	Fixture	Purpose
Curved ceiling / wall features	Flexible silicone profile LED	Flowing architectural light lines, organic surfaces
Flat ceiling sections / reveals	Linear aluminium profile LED	Clean, minimal illumination, geometric accent

Landscape and Accent Lighting: Depth, Drama, and Detail

Outdoor seating areas in hospitality venues are defined as much by what is lit as by what is planted or built. Thoughtful landscape accent lighting transforms a functional outdoor terrace into an immersive environment — and at Farsha, two key fixture types achieve this transformation.

1W In-Ground Uplights — Railing and Structural Illumination

1W in-ground LED lights were installed along the railing base to illuminate the railing structure from below — casting upward light across the metalwork and creating a subtle architectural glow at floor level. In-ground uplighting is one of the most elegant tools in outdoor hospitality lighting: nearly invisible during the day, the fixtures produce a refined effect at night that communicates quality and attention to detail.

Newon supplies LED in-ground recessed lights and buried walkway lights for outdoor hospitality and landscape applications.

7W LED Spike Lights — Planter Drama and Shadow Effects

7W LED spike lights were placed inside the planters positioned along the terrace, projecting upward light onto the plants and — crucially — casting dramatic shadow patterns onto the fence and wall structures behind them. This shadow projection effect is one of the most cost-effective ways to add visual depth and texture to an outdoor space: a single spike light inside a planted area can transform a flat wall into a dynamic, constantly shifting shadow composition.

Newon’s LED spike light range includes single and multi-head variants in warm white, cool white, and RGB, available online across Pakistan.

Zone	Fixture	Effect
Railing base	1W in-ground LED uplights	Subtle architectural uplight, floor-level glow
Planters	7W LED spike lights	Plant uplighting, dramatic shadow projection on walls

Feature Lighting: The Floating Whale Sculpture

Farsha’s most distinctive visual element is its Floating Whale — a sculptural installation suspended within the outdoor area of the café. Feature installations like this are increasingly common in Pakistan’s premium hospitality venues: they provide an immediate focal point, a conversation starter, and — most importantly — a highly shareable visual anchor that appears in countless social media posts, extending the venue’s reach organically.

But a feature installation is only as powerful as its lighting. An unlit or poorly lit sculpture is simply an object; the right lighting transforms it into an experience.

For the Floating Whale, RGB spotlights and floodlights were installed to bathe the sculpture in vibrant purple light — the same accent colour used across the rooftop deck, creating a cohesive colour theme that connects the feature installation to the wider venue identity. The RGB capability allows the colour and intensity to be adjusted for different occasions, events, and moods.

The result is exactly what feature lighting should achieve: the whale becomes the undeniable visual heart of the space — drawing every guest’s eye upward, generating social media content with every visit, and communicating the venue’s creative ambition to anyone who walks through the door.

Newon supplies a full range of RGB outdoor floodlights and outdoor spotlights for feature and landscape lighting applications across Pakistan.

Feature	Fixture	Effect
Floating Whale sculpture	RGB spotlights + RGB floodlights	Vibrant purple feature lighting, social media focal point

Final Result: An Atmosphere That Fills Tables

The completed lighting scheme at Farsha achieves something that no amount of interior design alone can accomplish — it makes the venue feel alive after dark. Each layer of the lighting design contributes to a layered, dynamic environment:

• The 2200K COB rope lighting wraps the rooftop deck in warm golden light that makes every guest look good and feel relaxed
• The purple accent lighting running through the space creates energy, visual interest, and the distinctive colour signature that makes Farsha recognisable in photographs
• The curved and linear profile lighting indoors gives the interior architectural character beyond what its fixtures alone could achieve
• The spike and in-ground landscape lights add depth and detail to the outdoor areas, making every corner of the venue feel considered
• The RGB-lit Floating Whale provides an iconic visual centrepiece that drives social sharing and return visits

Together these elements create a venue that guests describe not just as a place they went for dinner — but as a place they want to show other people. In Pakistan’s competitive hospitality market, that distinction is the difference between a successful café and a landmark one.

Planning Restaurant and Café Lighting in Pakistan: What Every Owner Should Know

Lighting is not a finishing touch in hospitality design — it is a business decision. Here are the key principles that informed the Farsha project and that apply to any restaurant or café project in Pakistan:

Choose Warmth for Ambiance, Not Brightness for Function

Most restaurant owners instinctively think about how bright the lighting will be. The more important question is how warm it will feel. Light levels matter, but colour temperature (2200K–3000K for hospitality) determines the atmosphere. Bright cool lighting makes guests eat quickly and leave; warm golden lighting makes them order another course and stay for dessert.

Design for Social Media as Well as the Guest in the Room

In Pakistan’s hospitality market, every guest with a phone is a potential content creator. Lighting that creates photogenic environments — feature installations, colour accent lights, glowing bar counters — drives organic social media reach that no paid advertising budget can replicate. This is not vanity; it is a measurable business strategy.

Use Layers, Not a Single Source

A single type of lighting fixture across an entire restaurant creates a flat, one-dimensional environment. The most successful hospitality spaces in Pakistan — and internationally — use multiple lighting layers: ambient for general illumination, accent for focal points, architectural for visual texture, and feature lighting for signature elements. Each layer adds depth and ensures every corner of the venue reads well, photographically and experientially.

Invest in Weatherproofing for Outdoor and Rooftop Zones

Islamabad’s rooftop dining season includes the full force of the monsoon. Every outdoor fixture must carry at minimum an IP65 rating — IP67 or IP68 for fixtures installed at ground level or in water features. Cutting corners on outdoor weatherproofing leads to fixture failures within one season, creating maintenance costs and operational disruptions that far exceed the initial saving.

For Architects, Interior Designers & Contractors: Hospitality Lighting in Pakistan

Newon works directly with architects, interior designers, and main contractors on hospitality lighting projects across Pakistan — from concept consultation through product specification, supply, and installation guidance. For trade clients, Newon offers:

• Hospitality lighting design consultation — zone-by-zone layout, colour temperature strategy, fixture selection, and lux level planning
• Custom and bespoke fixtures — custom-sized linear pendants, bespoke feature lighting, and made-to-order profile systems for unique hospitality spaces
• Full product range — COB rope lights, silicone profiles, aluminium profiles, spike lights, in-ground uplights, RGB floodlights, string lights, and outdoor weatherproof fixtures all available from one supplier
• Project and bulk pricing — competitive rates for full-venue hospitality fit-outs
• Nationwide supply — delivery to all cities across Pakistan via newon.pk

For hospitality and commercial projects in the UAE and GCC — including the Dubai dining and hospitality sector — newon.ae provides equivalent supply and design consultation services for architects and contractors across the Middle East.

To discuss a restaurant, café, or hospitality lighting project:
📧 info@newon.pk  |  📞 +92 343 9227883  |  💬 WhatsApp

More Restaurant and Hospitality Lighting Projects by Newon

• Restaurant Lighting — The Last Tribe (TLT), Pakistan
• Outdoor Lighting — Kylix Hotel & Restaurant, Shogran
• Rooftop String Lighting — La Terraza, Centaurus Islamabad
• Hotel String Lighting — Pranzo Hotel, Daharki
• Nightclub Lighting — Movenpick Hotel Centaurus, Islamabad
• Infinity Mirror & 3D Floor Light Stage — TKR Restaurant, Pakistan
• View All Newon Projects →

Frequently Asked Questions — Restaurant and Café Lighting Pakistan

What colour temperature is best for restaurant and café lighting in Pakistan?

2200K–3000K warm white is ideal for hospitality environments. At 2200K — as used at Farsha — the light closely mimics candlelight: golden, soft, and flattering to both guests and food. It creates a relaxed, intimate atmosphere that encourages guests to stay longer. Cool white (4000K+) is generally avoided in restaurants as it produces a clinical feel that discourages lingering.

What is COB rope lighting and how is it used in restaurants?

COB rope lighting is a flexible LED rope using continuous Chip-on-Board LEDs, producing a smooth uninterrupted glow without visible hotspots. In restaurants, it is installed along deck perimeters, under bar counters, and around ceiling coves to create soft indirect ambient illumination. The under-bar floating effect at Farsha is a classic COB rope application. Newon supplies COB rope lights online across Pakistan.

How important is lighting for a restaurant or café in Pakistan?

Lighting is among the most powerful drivers of atmosphere, dwell time, and social media presence in Pakistani hospitality. In Islamabad’s competitive dining market, a well-lit venue like Farsha generates organic social media content with every visit — extending its reach far beyond paid advertising. Lighting is not a finishing touch; it is a core business investment.

What lighting works best for outdoor and rooftop dining areas in Pakistan?

Outdoor dining in Pakistan requires warm ambient lighting (COB rope, string lights), landscape accent lighting (spike lights, in-ground uplights), and weatherproof fixtures rated IP65 minimum for monsoon resistance. Feature lighting (RGB floodlights) adds visual drama. All outdoor fixtures must be rated for Pakistan’s climate — dust, rain, heat, and UV exposure.

Does Newon provide restaurant and café lighting services?

Yes. Newon provides complete hospitality lighting consultation, product specification, and supply for restaurants, cafés, rooftop venues, hotels, and bars across Pakistan. Projects include Farsha Islamabad, TLT restaurant chain, Kylix Hotel Shogran, La Terraza Centaurus, Pranzo Hotel Daharki, and Movenpick Hotel Islamabad. Contact us via WhatsApp or email info@newon.pk.

What are spike lights and in-ground lights used for in café design?

Spike lights insert into planters and soil to project upward light through plants, creating shadow effects on adjacent walls and structures. In-ground uplights flush-mount into decking or paving to illuminate railings and columns from below. Both add depth, drama, and the layered visual quality that separates a professionally lit hospitality venue from a basic one.

In the indoor area, Silicon profile in curved shape and aluminium profile lighting in linear shape were been that balance both aesthetics and functionality. 

All the project images including finished and during work images are give below for information.

1w inground light is installed in the ground directly along a railing base to illuminate the structure from below. And a 7W LED spike light in a planter is used in a way to create dramatic shadows on nearby fence.

An art installation suspended in the outdoor area “floating whale” is being lit up in purple by the use of rgb spot and flood lights.

About Newon — Pakistan’s Hospitality and Architectural Lighting Specialists

Newon is Pakistan’s leading specialist in architectural, decorative, and commercial lighting, headquartered at Haroon Plaza, Islamabad. With over 35 completed projects across restaurants, hotels, corporate offices, government institutions, mosques, and residential developments, Newon brings unmatched hospitality lighting expertise to every project brief.

Newon supplies Pakistan’s most comprehensive hospitality lighting range — from COB rope lights and outdoor string lights to silicone profiles, spike lights, in-ground uplights, and RGB floodlights — all available online at newon.pk with delivery across Pakistan.

For hospitality and commercial lighting projects in the UAE and GCC, Newon operates newon.ae.

Ready to create an atmosphere that fills tables? Let’s talk.

📧 info@newon.pk
📞 +92 343 9227883
💬 WhatsApp: +92 343 9227883
📍 Office No 2, First Floor, Haroon Plaza, Islamabad, Pakistan
🌐 View our Outdoor Lighting Installation Service →