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The
Langham Hotel, London recently unveiled the Landau Restaurant along
with the Artesian Bar. The dramatic interior design combines modern
orientalism with the romance of Victoriana. The interior and exterior
entrance spaces are enhanced by a thoughtful and considered design,
with lighting complimenting and accentuating these features.
dpa’s
challenge was to bring out the best in the interior features with lighting
and integrate this seamlessly and as anonymously into the fabric of
the interior.
Key
interior elements are accent lit to provide drama to the spaces as well
as using soft washes of light to gently bring the interior surfaces
to life.
The
external entrance is understated yet strong in character with shielded
lighting to steps and planters, again, exposing the materials and surfaces,
while a backlit traditional canopy formalises the entrance.
The
maître d' area is kept simple to provide focus through to the
feature wine displays within the vaulted corridor which is softly uplit
to express the vaults.
The
restaurant perimeter is accented with uplighting to windows and sheers
to reduce the awareness of the busy street beyond as well as to respond
to the feature interior elements . Contrast and theatre is achieved
by only lighting interior elements of significant visual interest. Tables
are spot lit to further provide both drama and intimacy. Art objects
are illuminated to add interest to the perimeter views along with the
feature banquette seating lights, which are designed by the interior
designer. These are further complimented by feature interior designer
selection chandeliers within a lit ceiling coffer.
Simple,
recessed trimless downlights are used sparingly to light artwork to
the perimeter walls.
The
service areas have also been given care and attention to the lighting,
ensuring that the lighting to this area is controlled separately from
the main restaurant lighting so that this can be balanced appropriately
through the day and night scenes to maintain a harmonious lighting level
between the respective guest and staff areas.
In
addition to the interior lighting, careful consideration was taken to
select external lighting to the window reveals to compliment the interior
views out and to further reduce the awareness of the busy street beyond.
Lighting
control was used as an essential tool to provide versatility for the
hotel for various settings through the day and night and to allow mood
and ambience to be achieved, which is particularly important for evening
dining.
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