Photos: Courtesy of Harrods
RESTAURANT: HARRODS DINING HALL
The Jewel in the Crown “This is the third phase of Harrods’ two-year
one big, buzzing brasserie. “Each bar has its own
and without doubt, it is the jewel in the crown
unique pelmet lighting feature on the front of
of the whole enterprise,” says Simon Rawlings,
the soffit, lit from front and rear by concealed,
creative director of David Collins Studio, the inte-
indirect 2500K linear LED,” explains Rollins. “The
rior designers for the transformation that turned
warm diffused lighting from the bespoke decora-
Harrods Meat & Fish Hall into Harrods Dining
tive fittings is punctuated by dramatic ultra-
Hall in London.
narrow seven-degree downlights focused on indi-
This grand, tiled space with its handsome
contrast lighting makes the food a main feature,
made critical waves when first unveiled in 1903.
against the backdrop of chefs engaged in culinary
While the existing tiled floor, walls and ceiling
theater.” Open kitchens have black ceiling soffits
were retained, turning the space into a modern
to eliminate light reflection, and brighter, slightly
dining hall for 200 diners was a major undertak-
cooler (2700K) high color rendering downlighting
ing for the studio, assisted by heritage specialists.
to provide contrast against the dining hall.
tional joined the team, led by Graham Rollins. The main lighting design challenge on the proj-
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vidual dining plates at the bar seating. This high
columns, arches and extraordinary central coffer
Lighting consultants Lighting Design Interna-
ABOVE: Tabletop lamps from Enigma Lighting and discrete LED details on the bar tops give a soft wash of lighting all around. Under bar lighting from small narrow beam fittings accentuate the bar.
The Dining Hall contains six restaurants in
overhaul of the store’s four historic Food Halls,
In addition to the soffit downlighting, manufactured by Lucent Lighting, Rollins’ dramatic lighting design includes tabletop lamps from Enigma
ect, according to Rollins, was creating layers of
Lighting and discrete LED details on the bar tops
light and warm, inviting intimacy for the diners,
that give a soft wash of lighting all around the
in such a large-volume, tiled space. “Due to the
surface. Under bar lighting is provided by small
heritage listings, we had significant limitations
narrow beam fittings that accentuate the bar
on the types of lighting we could use and intro-
form. The central ceiling and cartouches are lit by
ducing new cabling for lighting control. This led
linear LEDs from KKDC Lighting during the day.
to various bespoke fixture designs and the use of
At night, those lights dim giving prominence to
Bluetooth to control the lighting,” says Rollins.
spotlights on the individual cartouches.•
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9/9/21 6:46 AM
