Toni & Guy are best known for their chain of hairdressing salons and training academies. However, their latest venture is a chain of stylish opticians – and for the flagship store in Liverpool, which opened in 2006, Concord:marlin designed and supplied the lighting. The company had lit a number of Toni & Guy hair salons and academies in the past and this was an important factor in its selection.The new outlet, part of Liverpool's Metquarter development, located in a former post office building, was designed by designers, Straight Impact. Concord:marlin's simple brief from chief designer, Michael Fitzpatrick, was to give the store a crisp, clean feel, while lighting it to an average of 750lux.
In order not to interfere with the store's clean lines, Concord:marlin located a series of recessed Lyteframe fittings down both sides of the store's central area – each one has two 35W CDM-T adjustable gimbals, to illuminate the eyewear on walls to either side. Cool white (colour 840) lamps were used, to create a crisp, efficient mood. Concord:marlin Trio Pendant Opal fittings were installed on either side of the main door, both to highlight the goods and create a symmetrical entrance feature. Once again a high output lamp (70W CDM) with the same cool colour temperature (840) was specified.
To supplement the main area lighting, a number of ancillary areas were also lit by Concord:marlin – for example, dimmable versions of the Lumiance variant Insaver were used in the examination rooms and Lumiance variant Instar Trend 50W downlights illuminate the waiting area. Finally, a series of 58W T8 TXL Sylfast Battens are concealed behind the wall displays, to create an attractive 'floating' effect.
Further stores are planned for roll-out throughout 2007.
Lighting design: Concord:marlin, working with Straight Impact.
