Lighting designers and investment bankers: not your average mix. A stop was put to that when we popped over to one of London’s financial hubs to collaborate with Perkins + Will on a corporate overhaul.
Our job was to light up the refurbished café and seating area in a way that would promote communication and interaction between staff. The large open space allowed us to create different communal pockets while maintaining a continuous flow of movement.
A library area with seating was given a relaxed, domestic vibe: luminaires were cleverly concealed in the ceiling, bespoke bookcases washed with light and a mix of pendants added for a splash of drama. An impressive wooden display cabinet sits in the coffee bar housing some delicious-looking goods so we made sure they’re always on show.
The dropped ceiling in the centre of the space was a feature not to be missed: a maze of LED luminaires mirror and illuminate the furniture below. And, we got playful when it came to the banquette seating: decorative string lights were put in place and the power cables pinned to replicate a web design.
It was all finished off with a lucent line of linear light running through the corridors wrapping around the communal areas, punctuated with large halo pendants to highlight entrance and exit points. And, of course, the lighting scheme is sustainable and energy efficient.
Images: © James French
— Ellie Coombs
