A stylish and varied scheme from Zumtobel Lighting is providing premium office lighting for a newly refurbished Grade II Listed building in London. With a brief to create a minimalist lighting scheme that would not dominate the impressive Georgian architecture of 12 St James' Square, SW1, the sophisticated array of fittings offered the ideal solution, combining bright and open working space with a clean aesthetic. Located in one of the West End's most historical squares, the eight storey building has undergone a multi million pound refurbishment resulting in a luxurious, contemporary office space. Zumtobel luminaires were specified throughout the building, including MELLOW LIGHT IV, PANOS M downlights and 2LIGHT MINIS. The open plan offices, corridors and lobbies throughout the 82,000 sq ft building are lit to create the optimum workplace environment. As a speculative development, the individual needs of the occupier cannot be predicted but the installation provides a perfect basis for the ideal mix of direct and indirect light, with an element of control given to the user.
All fittings provide high functionality with understated design and were specified flush to the ceiling and in white to provide a synergy with the lines of the building. Natural bright light, similar to the uniform luminance of daylight, is provided by the MELLOW LIGHT IV luminaires. The elegant dual component design ensures both direct and diffuse lighting of all surfaces, and the Gridmesh chamber is ideal for illuminating display screen equipment whilst protecting the eye from direct glare.
Designed by Sottsass Associati, the PANOS M downlights bring together chic design and high levels of functionality to provide uniform light distribution throughout. The flush circular fittings blend harmoniously into the ceiling whilst the reflector optics reduce glare. Featuring state of the art lighting technology, a soft but vibrant atmosphere is created by the 2LIGHT MINI downlight luminaires, producing decorative accents to complement the interior. The compact dimensions also ensure an unobtrusive profile against the ceiling.
Lighting designer Paul Barnard of Sandy Brown Western Ltd comments: "It was essential to illuminate the ceilings and walls effectively to provide the best possible workplace conditions. The choice of Zumtobel products ensured we were able to do this whilst subtly enhancing the interior to create a truly striking office space. In particular, the efficiency and lamp output of the MELLOW LIGHT IV fittings (600 x 600) ensured sufficient lighting on the ceiling to meet LG7 guidelines without overwhelming the architecture."
