131-151 Great Titchfield Street London W1W 5BB kate@kateandsam.co.uk +44 (0)20 7 993 2339 www.kateandsam.co.uk
About Kate and Sam
Kate and Sam Lighting Designers is a small independent consultancy with a diverse design background focused on the creative approach to lighting. We work closely with project design teams to deliver the most innovative solutions possible. Our aim is to bring fresh ideas to each project, both large and small, ranging from enhancing space and form to unique lighting installations, while always keeping function and maintenance in mind. This approach has been very successful in our collaborations with many highly acclaimed architects, designers and directors.
The value of lighting design is as subtle as it is powerful. We like working with bold solutions using fittings that give a space an immediate sense of drama or narrative. We often transform stock products into something original and give them the look of imaginative, bespoke fittings. Yet we are always careful that the lighting itself is kind to the occupant and does not detract from other features of a space that allow us to enjoy it. Over the years, we have worked with architects towards fully integrated lighting solutions that are not at all about product visibility. Instead they rely on strategically thought out lighting systems that through light alone sculpt a space, highlight its features, like detailing, materiality or colour, or create a sense of circulation within a room. This abstract quality of light is often too little understood in a culture that is so very focussed on products; yet we believe that this is when lighting design becomes fascinating. In addition to creating well-lit spaces that enhance their architecture, we are interested in how lighting can create the identity or brand of an institution or business. In this way, we are very hands on about what our clients can achieve through this medium always thinking how our designs work best for the task and objectives at hand. We also like to combine the latest lighting technologies with well-established ones. There is no one way to get to the right end result but we do insist that all of our designs, no matter how unusual, are easy to use and maintain and that they are future-proofed. This, to us, is an inherent -if too little appreciated- part of working towards sustainable lighting design.
St Paul’s
Waterloo
Cardiff
Manchester
Wahaca
We have produced lighting schemes for most Wahaca restaurants accross the UK, working with architects Softroom to create varying atmospheres that heavily reflect a mexican street food theme, Materials, textures and lighting are continually used to divide large spaces, while enforcing a lively environment and creating a unique visual impact. In Cardiff, soft rubber pendants subtly and gradually vary in colour to create a diverse, relaxing and uplifting space. These pendants and cables are then arranged with consideration given to the different levels, designed to appear more intense and immersive at a higher level.
Harrods
Harrods gave us the opportunity to use and display a range of lighting techniques to create the desired playful ambience. We endeavoured to engage with visitors’ imaginations, creating a space of excitement. We used a combination of texture, shadow and contrasts to create this environment, highlighting the multitude of colours and objects on display. We also used a variety of technologies to give us these contrasting but holistic results, ranging from high tech colour changing whites to hand made festoons.
Llanelly House
Wales’ finest Georgian house has been painstakingly restored for public use, incorporating retail, function rooms, exhibition space and a restaurant. Replicating a historic residential approach, we used darkness and contrast in the almost minimalistic lighting plan. The feature of our project is in the ‘grand room,’ showcasing a central chandelier and highlighting important works of art and architectural details, including the original comices. The combination of chandeliers and wall lights is again replicated in the restaurant. On this occasion, however, we worked with porcelain artist Anna Usborne, who created two contemporary pieces as chandeliers inspired by the famous pottery of Llanelli. This project was filmed as a BBC documentary fronted by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.
Scotch Whisky Experience
Within a ‘black box’ environment, lighting is fundamental in producing desired atmospheres and a seamless experience. In this case we worked on the Scotch Whisky experience ride, in which the visitor moves through a replica distillery as they witness the various stages of the whisky making process. To fulfil the requirements of completely differentiating the spaces, a series of contrasting lighting approaches were undertaken. Firstly, we created specially designed acrylic ‘droplets’ which cascaded and changed colour to represent water. Secondly, moving projections and RGB LED strings were positioned and programmed to give the impression of a stirring arm. Lastly, using backlit frosted acrylic globes that appeared to ‘pop,’ we carefully emulated the violent reaction of yeast during the fermentation process.
Trafalgar One
Trafalgar One is a bespoke development of four contemporary apartments by renowned London developer BMB. Created within the structure of the historic Canadian Pacific building on the south side of Trafalgar Square, the development offers uninterrupted views directly over Nelson’s column. The lighting design needed to therefore reflect the grandeur of the development, the only residential project with a Trafalgar Square address. The evenly lit space provides ambience and comfort throughout the apartments, creating homely and relaxing residences in the heart of one of the world’s most vibrant cities.
Hyatt Le Campus
Hyatt Le Campus is an atmospheric meeting space located at Hyatt Regency Hotel at Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris. The lighting enhances the overall design concept, aiming to evoke memories of schooling while attending to the needs of independent professionals. Each room in the design is conceived to have a slightly different atmosphere based on the various teaching spaces of a school. The main breakaway space features a simple lighting scheme to mimic a stereotypical canteen, while wall lights are used to emphasis a feature blackboard wall. Elsewhere, meeting rooms are decorated drawing inspiration from a science block, a headmaster’s office and a traditional classroom, where light and glass fittings vary from playful, colourful pendants to more traditional lighting where suited.
Hush Brasserie
Our task was to use lighting to complement and enhance the existing chic interior, allowing for a range of patrons throughout the day. Overall, our objective was to create a relaxed space that was also externally inviting. Using the precedent of contemporary open plan living, we divided the restaurant into several areas promoting familiarity and comfort. Therefore, the restaurant is lit into various areas as if they were, such as the dining room, sitting room and kitchen.
Inertia Tower
We joined forces with musician Matt Johnson (The The) and visual artist and film maker Johanna St Michaels to create The Inertia Variations – a new light and sound sculpture in Gothenburg. The focus of the first stage of the installation is a nine-metre high sculpture on the roof of Gothenburg’s Röda Sten Konsthall. Inspired by the Soviet-era Sukhov radio tower in Moscow, its mesh of illuminated strands is intended to evoke propaganda tools used by both dictators and revolutionaries. A subsequent stage will see the tower move inside the gallery, when the viewer will be encouraged to step inside and become immersed in an unsettling combination of narration, soundscapes and music. The ‘transmission’ of The Inertia Variations is the first instalment of an Anglo-Swedish collaboration that will move between Sweden, the UK and the USA.
Walled Garden
A magical walled garden set within a beautiful Wiltshire country estate, the project comprises lighting for a striking ornamental pool, specimen planting, architectural trees and sculptures strategically placed around the site. From the outset the brief was to design a robust, expandable, practical and energy efficient scheme that is easy to maintain as required. This has all been achieved by using good quality external luminaires, reducing the number of lighting channels required and opting for a lighting control system with no dimming with simple on/off switching.
Sweet History of York
The visitor centre aims to illustrate the history of York, highlighting the historical importance of the city’s sweet manufacturing history with a tour and coffee shop. The lighting helps to reveal this story by using several visual sensations throughout the tour to highlight key parts of the exhibition. A playful project, the coffee shop lighting uses references such as swirling chocolate and sweets to create a comfortable environment where patrons can taste the sweet history of York.
Alpenhoff Hotel
We have recently designed the lighting scheme for the refurbishment of a 40 bedroom Swiss ski resort chalet. This project was delivered on a very quick time frame, completing in just six months after the initial concept design phase.
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