DpL 3.0

Athenaeum Club, Reception

Presenting a listed classical interior in a manner that feels very calm and serene.

2017

Year

2017

Client

Athenaeum Club

Location

London, UK

Category

Heritage

This Grade I listed private members club, designed by Decimus Burton in 1830, is a historically significant landmark located in the centre of London.

DesignPlusLight were commissioned to upgrade the lighting whilst being sensitive to the historical style and listed status of the building, all delivered within a tight budget.

The brief was to enhance the lighting to the space (after 25y+ years) without drawing attention to any overt lighting effect. Existing electrical supplies were cleverly utilised to bring light into the building without the need for rewiring. A wireless Rako control system was installed to collate all of the separate wiring elements (which were switched throughout the site) together under one simple-to-use dimmable scene setting control. This greatly simplified the operation and expanded the use of the space: mood settings were created with automatic time clock operation, changing the mood depending on the time of the day.

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Innocuous surface spotlights almost disappear within the ornate architecture of the space. Soraa Lamps used for good colour rendering and enabled the same light source to be used across a variety of fittings.

Architectural features were softly lit in the entrance to give a calm impression of the single height space. The eye is cleverly drawn along the vaulted ceiling and into the impressively high atrium space. The lighting concentrates on the architectural features with a clear sense of symmetry to celebrate the neoclassical style. This allows the rest of the space to bathe in the reflected light; providing a contrast to the lit elements.