Multiple bespoke lighting systems, illuminated light panels and suspended ceiling tiles combine to form the ‘skylights’, which have proved so authentic, shoppers believe the light is natural. The dynamic white light created provides focal points, while adjustable spotlights give a layer of accent lighting, which increases contrast and adds sparkle to the merchandise.

Graham Watkinson, Sales & Marketing Manager, Optelma, said: ‘The curved design presented an added challenge for our bespoke “Skylight”, but by working closely with Nulty and the contractors, Sadeer, we created an illuminated ceiling system that is almost millimetre perfect.’ 

Paul Nulty, Founder, Nulty, comments: ‘Excellent lighting is about quality and it is a privilege to have worked with Bloomingdale’s – an innovative client who understands the importance of light for retail. Our collaboration with Optelma on the bespoke luminaires helped us to create an original and seamless design.’

CLIENT: Al Tayer Group (ATG)
LIGHTING DESIGN: Nulty
ARCHITECT: UXUS
ENGINEER: CKR
CONTRACTOR: Sadeer
PHOTOGRAPHY: ©Romeo Productions

David Marks and Julia Barfield described – “Built at the landward end of Brighton’s historic West Pier, Brighton i360 is a modern day vertical pier. Just as the West Pier invited victorian society to ‘walk on water’, we invite visitors to ‘walk on air’ and gain a new perspective of the city and it’s setting between the land and sea. The lighting supplied by Optelma forms an integral part of the pod design and is key to its success.”
Graham Watkinson, Sales and Marketing Manager of Optelma Architectural Lighting comments: “It was a privilege to witness the vision and world-class engineering involved in creating this new landmark. Lighting the British Airways i360 glass pod allowed Optelma to demonstrate our Bespoke & Made to Measure approach and we are delighted with the result.”
CLIENT: Brighton i360 Ltd
ARCHITECT: Marks Barfield Architects
CONTRACTOR: Hollandia Infra b.v.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Helmsley Orrell Partnership
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS: Jacobs UK
POD, DRIVE & CONTROL SYSTEM: Pomagalski SAS
FAÇADE CONSULTANT: Mott Macdonald
LIGHTING CONSULTANT: Do Architecture

The multi-purpose space takes the form of a hallway of mirrors. At the end of the hallway, banquette seating incorporates integral linear uplights – the Graze 2 mini profile from Optelma. With a 38 W/m, high CRI linear LED, this effectively illuminates the walls and window reveals.

Commenting on the success of the project Phil Copland, Senior Lighting Designer, Nulty said: ‘At Vedanta, the flexibility of the space allowed us to create something very special – something you wouldn’t find in ‘standard’ office lighting design. The lighting supplied by Optelma helped to realise the design intent by creating a sophisticated feel, with low-energy products that are also easy to maintain.’

CLIENT: Vedanta
INTERIOR DESIGN: Modus / DaeWha Kang
LIGHTING DESIGN CONSULTANT: Nulty
OFFICE FIT-OUT SPECIALIST: Modus
LIGHTING DESIGN AND MANUFACTURER: Optelma
PHOTOGRAPHY: © James French

The final element of the lighting solution required pendant lights. Local Conservation and Heritage Officers were keen that any solution did not distract from the significance of the interior so modern pendants were dismissed. A single original postcard in the LSHTM achieve showed three pendants hanging within the space. Optelma commissioned specialist manufacturer Dernier & Hamlyn to re-create these with led lamp solutions.

All the lighting elements are controlled on a Dali system to allow for simple local operation with pre-set scenes. Optelma supervised the installation which was carried out by its associate installer SAH Electrical. 

CLIENT: London School Of Hygiene
ARCHITECT: Bisset Adams
LIGHTING DESIGN: Dan Warwick, Optelma Lighting
MANUFACTURERS: Dernier & Hamlyn
PHOTOGRAPHY: Optelma in-house

Two large circular fittings, one over the boxing ring and one over the cardio area to mirror this, have been used. This was ideal as Antarchitecture did not want to use lots of light fittings, so the large circular solution offers the right light levels. The double-height ceiling also makes maintenance difficult, and the lower hanging circular light was much easier to access.

Elsewhere in the studio, the lights have been greatly improved. The old colour-change fluorescent fittings have been replaced with more aesthetically-pleasing linear fittings, which are also cost-effective. The colour temperatures are also now more considered, with a warmer light rather than a bright white light, which is more synonymous with more-budget, chain gyms.

Tony Sayers, Director of Antarchitecture, said: “We’ve been partnering with Optelma for nearly 20 years now and I am always impressed with their work. It is such a benefit that they offer ready-made and bespoke solutions, and when something unique is required, it can be tweaked quickly and cost-effectively. As they manufacture in-house, the long lead times are removed which is a huge bonus.
“The budget for Stars Gym was not significant, so we needed a partner that we knew we could rely on. Working with Optelma you can be confident that you won’t waste money on light fittings. The Optelma solutions have delivered everything we needed and more for this project, and they look much more high-end than the budget actually allowed for.”

Graham Watkinson from Optelma added: “We were thrilled to be asked to be part of the Stars Gym refurbishment programme alongside Antarchitecture. The project was interesting as it needed an entirely new approach to the existing lighting scheme, which was underwhelming and not fit for purpose.

“As we have an extensive product portfolio and we are able to create bespoke designs with a fast turnaround, Optelma were able to deliver everything required for this project.”

The wider project team consisted of Woodford Interiors contractors, and SAH Electrical.
Additional, subtle updates add a touch of class, such as the vinyl plank floor laid in a herringbone pattern, which is a cost-effective yet attractive solution. The gym walls are also now a lot darker, making the space more theatrical, particularly when compared to the previous off-white and grey colour scheme.

The significant improvements to the décor, and in particular the lighting, have shaken off the previous ‘budget’ feel and replaced it with a more boutique and sophisticated environment.

Project credits:
Architecture and planning: Antarchitecture
Client: Stars Gym
Contractors: Woodford Interiors
Electrical Contractors: SAH Electrical
Photography: Stars Gym