IN THE SPOTLIGHT
To mark our 10th birthday, we’ve picked out ten lighting design projects from our portfolio that are particularly special. We’re really lucky to have worked across a diverse range of design projects over the last decade and here we share a little insight into the ones that stand out.
Manchester United Nike Superstore
As one of our first projects and our first magazine cover (good old Lighting magazine, as was) we still hold a torch for this project. It demonstrated that we were willing to push boundaries and do – at the time – quite innovative things in retail, which was very high contrast compared to standard, generic shopping environments.
News Corp HQ
This riverside office space stands out because it was a huge project that had a real variety of environments within it. The lighting design had to reflect five different brands and it put a line in the sand for us winning fantastic workplace business. It was super demanding and showcased our ability to deliver a complex project quickly.
Chelsea Barracks
We were a relatively young practice when we were appointed to work on the internal (coming soon!) and external areas (more here) of this prestigious development – it was a wonderful achievement. It showed that we were able to deliver a higher quality of service and innovate in ways that some of our competitors were not able to.
Baylis Old School
The redevelopment of this Grade II listed Brutalist secondary school demonstrated that you don’t need lots of hardware to light a space beautifully. The design was very much about the application of light on the exterior surfaces – it’s a technically excellent scheme that we’re still very proud of.
Leake Street Arches
Back in 2017 this famed graffiti tunnel was thoughtfully regenerated, which included an overhaul of the lighting. The scheme we designed is a key part of the personality of the space, and it has facilitated a whole arts movement and curated programme. We treasure this project and because it’s on our doorstep, we get to experience it day in, day out.
London Underground Station Design Idiom
We still pinch ourselves about this one. Creating the lighting design concept for the design idiom (that aims to build on the iconic brand of the Underground and nurture its design heritage) was such a privilege. Through close collaboration we inspired London Underground to innovate, think differently about light and embrace new ways of using light to create more personality in a space.
DIFC Gate Village Dubai
The vibrant architectural lighting scheme for the DIFC public realm is the perfect example of how to connect people and places through light. The project gave an identity to what had previously been a back of house through-road. Who doesn’t love a splash of colour to brighten the day?
County Mall
For something that was a pretty robust piece of out-of-town architecture, we were able to use lighting to both reduce energy savings and give the space a fresh new look. Yet that wasn’t it. To acknowledge the area’s link to the aviation industry, we created a flock of illuminated birds that glide through the lofty atrium – a distinct feature that gives County Mall its own identity, and it’s something we still love.
Fenchurch Street Office
The interactive entrance lobby that we designed really set the tone for this clean, minimalistic, and beautiful workspace. The motion-sensitive tunnel changes from black to bold colours as people walk through the space creating a memorable and dramatic experience.
The Ned
Although incredibly complicated, this hotel and members’ club project was magnificent. The historical importance of the building meant overcoming challenges and narrow requirements, but we managed it… delivering a sympathetic and elegant lighting scheme for what’s now an iconic destination.
Image credits: Man U © Nike | News Corp HQ © David Churchill | Chelsea Barracks, Baylis Old School, Leake Street Arches, County Mall, Fenchurch Street Office © James French | London Underground © London Underground & Studio Egret West | DIFC © Alex Jeffries Photography | The Ned © The Ned