Custodians of the 7no. public golf courses at St. Andrews, including the Old Course, St. Andrews Links Trust, have recently moved into their new headquarters building, Pilmour House. Designed by Nicoll Russell Studios (NRS) and completed in Autumn 2021, the building is now fully occupied and operational. dpa lighting consultants were delighted to be invited by NRS to provide lighting design for the interior, exterior facades, landscape and Gatehouse.

Comprising a main entrance, double height reception, informal waiting, flexible meeting & training rooms, cellular & open plan offices and support facilities, the two-storey HQ building sits adjacent to the existing Eden Clubhouse and both the Strathtyrum and Balgove Courses.

A key design consideration maximised available daylight within the building, to minimise energy utilisation through the use of unnecessary artificial lighting. This, along with the site constraints, informed the building’s form and orientation within the site resulting in a relatively narrow building width, optimising daylight penetration throughout the day. The provision of a lighting control system, linked to a daylight sensor, ensured daylight was optimised throughout the year, with artificial lighting supplementing daylight as necessary.  Artificial lighting automatically provides required illumination when daylight is insufficient, with manual scene over-ride capability to suit out of hours/late evening, localised operation.

The high percentage of glazing also allows considerable views into the building for both visitors and staff as well as the golfers visiting the courses and clubhouse.  This ‘transparency’ reveals the interior layout, its surfaces and finishes.  These surfaces are specifically illuminated to support the natural lighting provision, as well as providing a night-time expression that establishes the building within its setting.  This is augmented with a minimum of exterior lighting applied to the building and integrated into the landscape to ensure safe circulation.

Both NRS architects and dpa spent a significant amount of time integrating the artificial lighting into the fabric of the building both internally and externally with the detailing and luminaire selection minimising their visibility and visual intrusion, enhancing the overall operation and experience of the various spaces for the occupants and visitors.

Client: St Andrews Links Trust
Architect: Nicoll Russell Studios, Broughty Ferry, Dundee
Interior Designer: Nicoll Russell Studios, Broughty Ferry, Dundee
MEP Services Consultant: Elders Consulting Engineers llp
Structural & Civil Engineer: Millard Consulting
Landscape Consultant: Harrison Stevens
Quantity Surveyor: Hardies Property & Construction Consultants
Clerk of works: Sentinel Clerk of Works Limited
Photography: Keith Hunter Photography

St.Andrews Links Trust HQ. St.Andrews, Scotland, UK.

We are delighted to have completed the lighting design of the communal areas at Anglo American’s new co-located corporate headquarters at 17 Charterhouse Street, London.

The project comprises a re-model, refurbishment and extension of the existing building. Two new feature staircases were constructed to provide a flowing connection between the upper floor offices and the communal ground floor areas, leading directly into a double height restaurant, which also serves as a gathering and celebration space.

Main entry is via the double height reception lobby, leading through to a separate café area complete with two living walls, and towards the lift lobby or through to the rear exit into the exterior courtyard.

For all interior spaces we worked closely with MCM Architects, to provide a seamless and elegant integration of the lighting into the building fabric.

Whilst most of the lighting equipment and luminaires are concealed from direct views, some others are purposely exposed and used to further accentuate the many linear forms that constitute the architectural design throughout.

Both feature staircases utilise a trimless graphic line detail to accentuate their spiral forms and at the same time provide the required ambient illumination and emergency lighting.

In the entrance lobby, illuminated profiles were designed to match the proposed timber slat cladding, giving prominence to the double height volume, which also forms an essential part of the external expression of the building.

Client: Anglo American & De Beers
Project Managers: Buro Four
Architects: MCM
Building Services: GDM
Main Contractors: Wates and BW
Photography: Courtesy of Jack Hobhouse

We are delighted to have completed the communal areas to the new office development at 61 Curzon Street, working closely with JM Architects for the exterior and interior spaces.

The lighting design was developed to seamlessly integrate lighting into the fabric of the building and be concealed, where possible, to ensure the architecture was respected and not visually compromised by visible equipment.

A simple design intent for the exterior worked with the beautifully detailed window reveals, illuminating the lighter stone only to contrast with the very dark reveals. This is carried through from the ground, first, second and fifth floors with up lighting to crown the building up at the 7th floor terrace.

For the interior spaces, again a simple approach complements the timeless and elegant detailing. The staircases feature concealed lighting details to provide interest and brightness to the cores, along with accent which contribute to the contrasting dark and light design and graphics which are a prominent component to the overall design.

Client: Greencap IV Ltd
Architect: JM Architects
Project Managers: CBRE
Photography: Matt Livey

dpa were appointed by Allgemeine SÜDBODEN to design the lighting of Haus 24, part of the expansive Neuen Balan Campus in Munich, working in close collaboration with Weickenmeier, Kunz + Partner architects.

Haus 24 is a striking and futuristic looking penthouse office space, overlooking the campus. With extensive glazed surfaces, the building presents itself against the Munich nightscape as a warmly lit, largely transparent volume.

dpa designed a lighting scheme that integrates the architectural lighting equipment within the fabric of the building as much as possible, whilst retaining obvious decorative elements to complement the modern interiors and provide a homely, warm layer of ambient illumination. The lighting scheme is controlled by a sophisticated architectural lighting control system that enables the seamless selection of scenes according to the time of day and the ambient atmospheric conditions, in close cooperation with a shading system that controls the ingress of natural light. The end result is a superbly flexible working space that can accommodate a wide range of functions, within an ever expanding business hub in the city of Munich.

Client: Allgemeine SÜDBODEN Grundbesitz AG
Architect: Norbert Weickenmeier and Weickenmeier, Kunz + Partner Architects
Electrical Consultant: ITG
Photography: Stefan Müller-Naumann

dpa were invited to help with the lighting of an office refurbishment project in central London by Project Managers Swift Refurbishments. We worked with Hemingway Design to develop a fresh, contemporary lighting approach to this flexible interior office space. Staff have been given the chance to work in many ways, standing or seated, alone or collectively, in a meeting room or a more casual setting and the lighting responds to suit these varying environments.

Bespoke suspended pendant lighting was used throughout over desks to provide both up and downlighting whilst task lights were on each workstation providing the individual opportunity to tailor their own lighting to suit their requirements. The use of many decorative floor and table lights all follow the interior aesthetic to create a more residential and relaxed atmosphere. Lighting was also integrated in joinery and displays providing a well coordinated, clean and considered result.

The interior design and lighting work together to push forward a scheme with interest, variety, warmth and vibrancy.

Client: St. Modwen, London
Branding/Interior Design/Art Direction: Hemingway Design
Project Managers: Swift Refurbishments
Photography: Taran Wilkhu Photography

The reception lobby entrance at Charles II Street is a stunning project which is part of a larger development by the Crown Estate with JM Architects.

The design was developed to seamlessly integrate lighting into the fabric of the building and to enhance and expose the interesting architectural planes of the ceiling, walls and floor.

dpa proposed the same linear lighting colour to float each key element in a coherent and considered way using a neutral warm white light to compliment the warm timber whilst still providing an appropriate crisp appearance. The lift core backlit glass by contrast has an intentionally cooler appearance as a separate ‘element’ within the space.

The kinetic artwork was unlit to silhouette it against the softly lit back wall and reflect the interesting interior within the mirrored ‘mobile like’ elements.

All light sources are LED and are dimmed via an architectural lighting control system to balance the space through the day and through the hours of darkness.

Client: The Crown Estate
Project Manager: M3 Consulting
Architect and Interior Designer: JM Architects
M&E Consultant: Designer Group
Contractor: Morgan Sindall

Vodafone’s Q-Port Offices in Amsterdam have been carefully conceived to inspire users and visitors alike. The lighting, as well as providing the functional illumination needed for office space, also enlivens and enriches the visual experience. The lighting has been carefully integrated and considered in relation to the philosophy of the building and its interior architecture. Unlike most offices, there is not a bland uniform lighting pattern, there is variation, colour, and life.

The spaces are zoned to provide areas that encourage informal discussion and areas that are for focused work, and the lighting reflects the various activities of the different spaces. 

Each space within the office was carefully considered and the lighting selected to enhance the activity of the space. Quiet areas are more subdued, whereas ‘fast zones’ are lit more intensely. Particular importance was given to social areas as well as work spaces to provide variation and stimulation. The integration of large graphics onto walls and glass is significant to encourage views through spaces, with images that reflect the contemporary, vibrant nature of Vodafone’s business and, of course, the lighting of these was also important.

The large glass walls to the entrance and restaurant provided an opportunity for the interior to be seen from the outside, acting as a beacon to express the character of the space and reinforce, to those approaching the building or passing by, that this is an exciting and vibrant organisation.

There are many elements to the lighting together with the interior and working practices that ensure this is a special work environment, far removed from a bland speculative office, which is so prevalent all over the world.

Client: Vodafone Holland

Lighting was considered to play a significant role in the overall success of the project, both in terms of complementing the interior design and highlighting the sleek exterior architecture. The client required the lighting to reflect the ambition of a visually stimulating office development that had a welcoming, interesting, and vibrant reception area, while addressing issues of lamp life, energy consumption, and maintenance. In addition, the lighting was required to appropriately emphasise the contemporary and minimalistic lines of the street architecture, setting the building apart from other office developments in the area.

The lighting to the feature glass artwork was particularly challenging and necessitated lighting trials to address issues of colour, intensity, offset, access, and the impact and penetration of natural light on to the glass. The glass artist required cool white lines of light at varying lengths to give the illusion of depth and perspective, and wanted the lighting to be operational throughout the day.

Client: Grosvenor Estate
Architect: Squire & Partners

The new Arcapita Headquarters building in Bahrain combines a dramatic location with innovative sculptural forms, which results in a distinct sense of place for business and arts uses. The project provides a significant architectural presence that has an immediate impact and creates positive and exciting associations for Arcapita Bank. Working in conjunction with the project team, which included The Client, Architects, Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM) and Atkins and Project Managers Mace, dpa have produced lighting solutions, in terms of aesthetic requirements and functions, in this prominent and significant project.

Situated within the Bahrain Bay Development off the north coast of Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, the Mosque comprises a concrete shell that is clad internally and externally with natural stone. One of the main goals of SOM for AHQ Building and East Park Mosque was to provide a productive work environment that balances daylighting and thermal comfort. Natural light is provided within the Mosque glazing on the ground floor and through feature windows that are cast into the faces of the structure. In order to highlight this feature during nighttime, dpa proposed concealed linear fixtures within the cladding slot feature. This reinforces the iconic identity of the building whilst providing a low energy, maintainable and practical solution.

Externally, a freestanding minaret was erected alongside the Mosque. A similar but inverted lighting design was implemented for this feature to create harmony with the adjacent building. In addition to this, illumination at the pedestal wall was introduced using concealed energy-efficient fluorescent luminaires integrated within a slot to provide ambient lighting to the Mosque perimeter. The external lighting was deliberately located to provide reflections from the perimeter water.

Linear LED ‘L’ shaped arrays have been integrated into junctions between paving to reflect the slot design on the Mosque cladding. Graphic shapes act as a visual guide to the Mosque rather than dominating the feature.

A lighting control system for the interior and exterior façade of this project was also carefully established by using the concept of lighting scene control via Automatic Astronomic/Solar Time-clock and Manual Override. The scenes can be chosen depending on the Praying Time.

Client: Arcapita Bank
Project Manager: MACE
Architect: Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM) and Atkins
Interior Designer: Sima Malak + Alssamoure Design Associates
Landscape Designer: EDAW
M&E Consultant: Atkins

The new Customer Experience Centre (CEC) at Vodafone, Qatar offers an interactive presentation of the Vodafone brand, projecting information about past, present and future capabilities and aspirations of the business.

dpa lighting consultants worked closely with Vodafone and Platform (interior designers) to produce an exciting, energetic, dynamic and energy conscious lighting scheme that best served to compliment the cutting edge interiors. Of prime importance was the interface between the lighting scheme and the lighting controls, so as to provide a user friendly scene set solution that would relate to the various audio visual presentations.

The interaction of the audio visual and lighting aspects of the project are controlled via an I-Pad tablet, which interfaces with the AV system and architectural lighting control system. dpa ensured that the lighting scheme facilitated full dimming of the luminaires, to ensure a smooth transition from one particular zone to another within the CEC.

Lighting Scheme

A strong interior element in the form of a timber-slatted clad wall characterises the interior surfaces. Evident from the moment that the customer enters the centre, the lighting scheme enhances this feature by projecting a wash of light downwards to bathe the slats and to provide articulation to the perimeter, which is further enhanced by a shadow pattern created during the daytime, where the slats meet the sections of glazing.

Guests are offered to relax in the Lounge prior to moving into the main CEC Presentation Suite. Concealed warm white LED lighting is used to float the organic shaped suspended raft as well as the black glass clad wall which houses the TV screen and coffee station. Clusters of warm white LED downlights appropriately highlight the contemporary furniture and suspended patterned screens located between the meeting tables, while oversized pendants provide a more localised residential feel to the interiors.

The I-Pad tablet is utilised to change the lighting state within the Presentation Suite and VIP Suite. The dynamic lighting techniques combine with the AV presentation where there is an interplay between the warm white LED down lights, RGB colour change LED linear luminaires and concealed linear LED lighting which floats the base of the perimeter.

Client: Vodafone
Interior Designer: Platform Group

Mitsubishi Estate Company with their Architects, Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei have rebuilt No.1 Marunouchi, originally designed by English Architect, Josiah Conder.

In addition, a new garden, retail annex building, and commercial tower were constructed sympathetically on the same site. dpa designed the internal lighting of the Office Tower Lobby and all areas of the external lighting, except the Tower crown, which was designed by Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei.

The lighting reflected the sensitive architecture, highlighting the rebuilt No. 1 Marunouchi by revealing the rhythm of the windows and doors, stone corners and gently exposing key parts of the roof line. The Garden provides a wonderful sanctuary both during the day and at night, with the harmonious combination of water, hard landscaping, soft landscaping, and sculpture. The Retail and Commercial Buildings respecting the important historical references of the area, have their own presence but do not overwhelm the rebuilt historic structure.

The Office Lobby has carefully conceived lighting that integrates with the interior architecture, emphasising the substance of such an important building, while creating visual interest and encouraging movement to and from the lift lobbies. The lift lobbies themselves employ a variety of lighting components which, with the control system, facilitate the atmosphere changes from day to early evening and into the night, to provide exactly the right ambiance at each moment while saving energy.

Photography courtesy of Kokyu Miwa Architectural Photography and Ogawa Taisuke Photograph Office.

Client: Mitsubishi Estate Company
Architect: Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei

This office development, located opposite London Blackfriars Station, is now the London headquarters of Mellon Bank. dpa lighting consultants worked closely with SOM Architects on the shell and core areas of the base-build project. The scope of work included the double reception area on the ground floor (with access from both Playhouse Yard and Queen Victoria Street), the lift lobbies, two central atrium spaces, and the external façade lighting.

One of the challenges of the project was to successfully illuminate the walls of the reception area, which were clad with polished woven stainless steel cladding. The resultant lit effect creates an array of highly specular reflections that appear to follow the visitor through the space.

The red travertine-clad central lift lobby has an etched low-iron glass floor supported on clear laminated glass beams. In this area, our solution was to wallwash the walls from below, utilising inground uplights, and, from above, using ceiling recessed washlights, which in turn softly backlights the etched glass deck when viewed from above or below.