Published on: June 24, 2009

Lighting Design International sent us the project they completed recently for Hammerson Office – an European Real Estate company.

More info by Lighting Design International:

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Upon entering the impressive double height reception your eye is drawn up to the crisp lit linear slots spanning the ceiling of the first floor and the open void. The slots incorporate two different types of downlights and concealed cold cathode source.

The downlights were metal halide and tungsten from the same family of downlights by Modular Lighting. Over the double height space a 70W metal halide source was selected for its high output, low power consumption and cool white colour temperature. These lamps provided us with a clean and strong punch of light to the cream stone floor in an area will little natural light. The 50W AR111 tungsten downlights were used with various beam angles in the sitting area to highlight features and provide general light. Tungsten gives a much warmer white light and is dimmable so the lights were used to add warmth and atmosphere. These fittings also double up as emergency lighting by being wired to 3hour battery packs that take over then the power is cut. In doing this the scheme was not interrupted with additional fittings. In the evening the metal halide lamps are switched off to in order to create a softer setting for parties and exhibition nights.

The concealed 3000K (cool white) 20mm diameter cold cathode tubes from Oldham Lighting were installed in all the bespoke ceiling details, to delineate the sculptural stone of the reception desk and recessed into slots to create a soft wash on the walls at both high and low level. As cold cathode can be made in bespoke linear or curved lengths we were able to achieve continuous unbroken lengths of light.

All the ceiling slots coffers and scoops in the canteen were created with GRG which allowed us to create some very crisp edges as well as smooth curved shapes. These forms were accentuated with the flat even light provided by the cold cathode.

The ceiling drops down in the waiting area where you wait under smooth round lit coffers. Borrowed daylight from the adjacent offices spills into this seating area but when the full height floor to ceiling vertical dark wood louvers are closed for privacy the solid wall they create is washed with downlights. These ground floor meeting rooms have different scenes selected depending on the purpose – lit with fluorescent during the day for functional light and tungsten at night for dining or late informal meetings.

The feature of the staff restaurant is its sculptural ceiling. Cold cathode is concealed within the scoops highlighting the rise and fall of the form as well as providing the ambient light. Narrow beam tungsten 50W AR111 downlights have been interspersed between the scoops to spot light the tables when dining.

The first floor meeting rooms can be one large conference room, three separate rooms or an extension of the first floor sitting area. The Leax lighting control system allows the flexibility of control as individual rooms or a single space with the lighting treatment similar to the adjacent area for continuity when opened up.

The transition areas such as corridors and lift lobbies were also thoughtfully considered such as uplighting the mesh screens to the stairs, illuminating wall slots and creating interesting ceilings.

The ambition for the lighting of this showcase office was to integrate with the architectural scheme creating an exciting, vibrant, functional working environment that was enjoyable for the staff and visitors.