80 New Bond Street
Nulty
Agency: Nulty
Client: Hines / Orms
One of the standout features of the newly refurbished building is the entrance to The Burlian, 80 New Bond Street’s new high-end workplace proposition. At the threshold, an arch of green stone frames the doorway and reveals a walkway lined with wood panels and bronze-finished archways. Here, integrated lighting elevates the materiality whilst minimising visual impact. Discreet spotlights embedded in the arches form a soft layer of light overhead and are reinforced by a wash of light along the oak panelling that complements the curvature of the wood and forms a run of warmth into the reception. The simplicity of the double-height reception that follows ensures that the gaze to be drawn upwards to a stunning backlit ceiling. Seamlessly engineered to appear as a single composition of light, the vaulted ceiling consists of 24 LED modules, which work synonymously and transition between warm and cool colour temperatures to simulate daylight. Whilst the structure of the ceiling is primarily rectilinear, the vaulted soffit is curved due to way that the backlit fabric is deftly tapered across each segment. This distinction creates a deliberately nuanced quality of light that emulates the effect of daylight. Considered use of hierarchy and contrast activates the façade after dark and cements the building as a point of orientation for the area. In-ground uplights and downlights enhance the lower proportion of the building, washing light onto the stone and directing the eye to the architectural columns. Further up, uplights illuminate the window reliefs and fluted balconies to form a rhythmic play of light and add further visual interest. The overall lit effect of the façade draws out the architectural features that would otherwise disappear in the darkness. The lighting design for 80 New Bond Street adheres to a clear set of sustainability and responsible lighting principles. The project team is targeting BREEAM Excellent and WELL Platinum Ready, so the lighting scheme complies with the criteria for each accreditation. The team used high quality LED luminaires to decrease energy consumption and employed a control system with a range of scenes to allow light levels to be appropriately balanced and dimmed down in accordance with the time of day. Light was carefully integrated across the façade to prevent light spill beyond the architecture.