Working closely with interior designer, Sophie Hibberd, Light Bureau produced a dramatic solution relying on some simple theatrical techniques whilst producing comfortable lighting to booths for customers to relax and drink.
This is quite an achievement as Light Bureau director Paul Nulty explains: "The key to the success of the bar lighting has been to keep it simple, the budget for lighting was very tight, the total expenditure on lighting, including controls is just £4,000.00 so we had to be very creative with some of the details and resourceful with regards specification of luminaires. The entire project, from concept to completing commissioning was undertaken in just 8 weeks so we also had to keep an eye on availability."
The key lighting features within the space are the trademark clusters of light bulbs over the bar areas and entrance foyer which provide visual emphasis and sparkle. The foyer is particularly important for attracting passing trade as the bar entrance is narrow so the feature has to be eye-catching.
"The client was keen for the space to be as permeable as possible so as to draw the eye (and customers) into the bar" explains Nulty; "the vista from the bottom of the stair was key to this as it sets the first impression and tone of the Adventure experience." Light Bureau achieved this by utilising a Mode Lighting control system that enables the illuminance levels to be carefully balanced across the bar. "The light levels at the rear of the bar are subtly higher than the front area which pulls the eye into the space" continues Nulty.
The banquet seats are illuminated with dimmable fluorescent light fittings that graze light across fair-faced brick, revealing texture and creating a dramatic feature out of the barrel vaulted ceilings while also being low-energy. The use of low-energy lighting behind the banquets and WC mirrors ensures that the design still complies with current UK energy legislation and will be easy for the owners to maintain in the future.
Thomas Kidd, director of Adventure Bar & Lounge is particularly pleased with the new bar: "We really pushed the design team to give us as much value as possible from our budget without compromising quality or the Adventure Bar experience. What we have is a space that is both flexible and dramatic, meeting the needs of our business and creating a welcoming space for our customers".
(Claire Beeson)
