Lighting an Art Deco Icon

By Vilma Barr

80 Strand is a landmark Art Deco building occupying a prominent position in London on the River Thames between the Strand and Embankment. Built in 1930-1931, the building is located within the Savoy Conservation Area and next to Covent Garden. The objective of the current upgrade was to change the interior from a traditional style of office into a modern, flexible space to suit the building's office tenants and relight its distinctive public spaces.

Speirs Major was invited to redesign the lighting for linked communal spaces that cut through the Grade II listed building. This designation is assigned by the city to “important buildings of more than special interest.” Keith Bradshaw, CEO of Speirs Major, led the firm’s design team. “We drew inspiration from lighting designs from the period and then streamlined and contemporized those ideas, carefully considering how the details would integrate and respond to the unique features of each space,” Bradshaw indicates.

A series of custom statement lighting pieces was created for the interior entry spaces and the garden. “We identified key Art Deco characteristics such as geometric shapes, frames, and grids, and worked with a balance of translucent and solid materials,” says Bradshaw. “The new luminaires reflect the building's heritage and contribute to an elegant and contemporary working environment,” he says.

ENTRY AREAS

Having passed through a colonnade from the Strand into an internal courtyard, workers and visitors enter the building through a dramatic new glass entrance pavilion. Because this entry is surrounded on three sides by the building, minimal quantities of natural light can penetrate this area, and artificial lighting is crucial for a great first impression.

The internal courtyard.

Photo by James Newton. Courtesy of Speirs Major Light Architecture.

The new, fully glazed entrance pavilion is comprised of angled panels, with a single bespoke overhead illuminated fixture. It leads to the existing double height reception space.

An arrangement of detailed fluted glass and bronze wall lights is followed by a series of suspended grid-patterned light boxes leading to the elevator lobbies. “They are positioned to reinforce the rhythm and geometry of the architecture, to create a welcoming atmosphere and help visually define the different functional spaces, aiding in wayfinding,” Bradshaw describes.

From the lower corridor of the Glasshouse Garden, a colonnade leads out towards the Embankment entrance reception area. Original pendants, refurbished and upgraded, cast light onto the vaulted ceiling to keep this transition area feeling bright and spacious. The entrance area on this side of the building was previously lit with an assortment of downlights and uplights that gave it a harsh yet flat appearance. Now, a handsome light-box ceiling detail delivers a soft and welcoming quality of light.

The Embankment entrance reception area.

Photo by James Newton. Courtesy of Speirs Major Light Architecture.

HIDDEN GARDEN

In the center of the building, in a former light well, the newly added Glasshouse Garden is a flexible breakout space. Landscaping and seating for tenants and the public creates a community hub. Illumination highlights to the planting and uplighting to the facades and green walls create a soft surrounding glow. A hospitable outdoor atmosphere is available for meeting, networking, and socializing.

Custom lighting pieces were created for 80 Strand’s entry and garden.

Photo by James Newton. Courtesy of Speirs Major Light Architecture.

A LUXURY IMAGE

While the majority of the lighting appears to be delivered by the statement Art Deco luminaires, Speirs Major also added subtle additional lighting to balance the composition and boost the light levels without detracting from the visual impact.

The design team and the building’s owner have expressed pleasure with the way the light looks within the Art Deco heritage of the building while providing a sharper, luxury feel for its new image. “The approach feels naturally harmonious with the heritage architecture and delivers a vibrancy to the environment,” Bradshaw affirmed. ■

Client: Strandbrook

Architect: Studio PDP

Interior Design: Carter Owers

Lighting Design: Speirs Major

Project Team: Keith Bradshaw, Jaime Fuentes McGreevy, Jungwon Jung, Marina Andronescu

Custom Luminaires: DALS

For the full fixture schedule, please see the original article at https://issuu.com/designinglighting/docs/dl_june_2023/42.