Prize(s) Winners in Bar and Restaurant Lighting Design
Lighting Design/Product Company dpa Lighting Consultants
Lead Designers Nick Hoggett - Partner
Other Designer's names Ian Clarke - Senior Associate, Deeksha Surendra - Senior Designer
Architecture Company ARP Architects – Crispin Wright
Interior Design Company Design Wilkes – Jeffrey Wilkes
Client MW Eat/Masala Zone Piccadilly Circus, Ranjit Mathrani, Namita Panjabi & Camellia Panjabi
Photo Credits Courtesy of MW Eat/Masala Zone Piccadilly Circus
Completion Date June 2023
Project Location London, UK
Entry DescriptionThe concept was to create a Maharaja’s Palace with multiple layers of decoration within this well-known Grade ll listed London dining room dating from 1874.
Breaking the linear space up into a series of smaller areas, each with its own character but aesthetically harmonious, was an important part of the brief. The artistry of the lighting design was to illuminate the numerous decorative layers and decorative lighting fixtures to give them individual identity, whilst carefully balancing the different components to create visual interest and harmony throughout the restaurant. As with any restaurant, the presentation of the table, the food and the people at the table was also a fundamental consideration.
Due to its Grade II listed status, the historic fabric could not be used to fix fittings. Together with the Client and Interior Designer, we developed perimeter panels free of the historic fabric to appropriately locate lighting. Uplights are integrated in screens to brush light above their surface, spotlights are detailed seamlessly into the screen structures and coloured to match.The colours of the historic fabric exposed by the light allow us to enjoy the beauty of the historic building whilst experiencing all the elements that have been added, creating drama and interest. The artwork, displays and objects are authentic and the lighting is designed to show off these elements.
Sustainability ApproachOur design philosophy is to not light everything but to provide illumination and focus where required and to enhance darkness as appropriate. We use the minimum amount of energy to create maximum impact. We specified products from UK/London manufacturers that we believe have the same care for the world we live in.
Appropriate technology for each application in terms of the lighting fixtures and most importantly good quality dimmable drivers were carefully selected. The control system uses DALI protocol to provide infinite flexibility, not just for today but into the future.
Longevity is an important factor for this Client, and the lighting design therefore uses high-quality products that have a long life, a control system that provides flexibility into the future, and an outstanding maintenance regime about which this Client is meticulous.
