dpa lighting consultants were delighted to have attended a final commissioning visit for the external façade lighting of the iconic Waldorf Hilton Hotel in Aldwych. Working alongside Robert Brown Architects, dpa were appointed to complement a complete façade renovation project and breathe new life into the fabulous Edwardian architecture. Built in the 1800’s, and now sitting amongst London’s vibrant theatre district, the Waldorf Hilton has been rejuvenated, taking its rightful place amongst the adjacent players in the night-time landscape. Using the latest in LED lighting equipment, dpa composed a hierarchy of light which emphasises the scale and ornamentation of the façade. The overall lit effect has been carefully curated to sympathetically highlight the façade’s main features and reveal it’s character, using the minimum power.

The upper crowns of the building have been addressed, and gently emphasised using Linear LED set in a discreet detail. The decorative urns, cherubs, window reveals and columns at high level have all been sensitively illuminated with projectors demonstrating excellent optical control to ensure a minimum of light pollution. At the mid-level, the grand central columns have been illuminated on both sides with LED projectors, creating a colonnade of light. The projected, square columns on either end of the façade have been front lit, in contrast to the adjacent colonnade, giving subtle animation and character to the overall appearance. At the low level, very warm white colour temperatures have been used within the decorative lanterns and entrance canopies, to create a welcoming atmosphere for arriving guests, mimicking the gas lighting lanterns that would have originally adorned the façade. The lower area of the façade utilises dimming technology to balance the external lighting with the interiors, allowing the lighting of the inside and the outside to connect and complement each other.

The renovation has allowed the real beauty of the historic façade construction to sing, whilst reducing the ongoing energy consumption and maintenance requirement for the client.

Hotel Operator: Hilton Hotel Group
Architect: Robert Brown Associates
Electrical Contractors: RP Bray
Main Contractor: Stone Edge Construction
Photography: Courtesy of Robert Brown Associates