The Ivy, UK
The Ivy has been a London icon for almost a century, first opening its doors to the public in 1917. Having started life as a tiny, unlicensed café in a narrow townhouse in Covent Garden, it took a decade before The Ivy became the most talked-about restaurant in London. It was at this time that the decision was made to pull it down and rebuild it, featuring brand new kitchens in the basement and private rooms on the first floor.
The Ivy remained obstinately full and fashionable for decades, but was eventually sold by Monsieur Abel to Wheelers, the famous British fish and seafood restaurant group in 1950. Following this, The Ivy changed hands quite a few times and by the late ‘80s, the once shining star of London had began to lose its lustre. Until 1990 that is, when architect MJ Long redesigned the restaurant’s interiors as part of a major transformation, alongside a number of notable British artists who were commissioned to create new artwork for the restaurant’s walls.
The Ivy was to stay this way until spring this year, when interior designer Martin Brudnizki and his team at Michael Brudnizki Design Studio were handed the task of propelling the restaurant into the 21st Century. With the original stained glass windows and a focus on the ‘Best of British’ guiding the design process, it was decided the bar would work as a centre piece to open up the rest of the space. Historically The Ivy had ‘best’ tables, however Brudnizki and his team didn’t want that sense of hierarchy and so now every table is the ‘best’. While The Ivy is now accessible to everyone, it still retains that perfect blend of anticipation and exclusivity.
Born in Stockholm, Brudnizki founded his internationally acclaimed interior architecture and design studio in 2000, with offices in London and New York. Primarily known for designing restaurants, private clubs and hotels, over the last decade his studio’s designs have been instrumental in redefining modern hospitality. Commenting on what appealed about The Ivy as a project, he tells darc: “The Ivy is an iconic London restaurant and the quintessential West End establishment; whether you’re off to the theatre or soaking up the atmosphere of Soho, The Ivy holds a special place within everyone’s heart. Everyone has been to The Ivy or has a story about it, so when the opportunity to reimagine this historic space arose, we couldn’t say no.
“We have worked closely with Caprice Holdings over a number of years and so the decision to work together was the culmination of a natural progression. The brief was quite simple; keep the feel and history of the old Ivy but bring it into the 21st Century.”
With this in mind, much of the new design pays homage to the old Ivy. As mentioned, the iconic harlequin stained glass windows remained and informed much of the colour palette in the restaurant; while the panelling was replaced with something slightly more contemporary and a focus on the ‘Best of British’ art now has a more suitable feel for 21st Century dining tastes.
Both the wall lights and impressive chandeliers featured in the space were designed by &Objects, a new product design studio founded by Brudnizki and long term friend and product designer Nicholas Jeanes. & Objects seeks to produce a range of pieces that marry functionality with aesthetics and so the design studio saw it fit that the new products be incorporated into the new Ivy. The fittings appear as though they’ve always been at The Ivy while retaining a contemporary sense of style.
“Lighting is arguably the most important part of a restaurant interior, it sets the mood and dictates the diners’ experience,” continues Brudnizki. “We wanted to create a seductive and glamorous ambience; the coffered ceiling is gently illuminated with bespoke antique brass as well as glass and mirrored chandeliers. On the tables, diners are able to chat over individual brass table lamps, complete with ruched silk shades. We wanted to hark back to The Ivy’s heyday and lighting was a crucial element to the success of the project.
“Much like the theatres nearby, The Ivy is made by its lighting,” concludes Brudnizki. “We’ve managed to create a sophisticated glow within the space, which mirrors the characters that frequent The Ivy.”
Facebook Office, Israel
Studio Beam’s lighting concept in conjunction with Israeli architectural firm Setter Architects' design, the new Facebook office complex in Tel Aviv, Israel, houses a youthful and vibrant working environment for the widely used social networking business. Studio Beam, comprised of design trio Oded Sapir, Oz Ohayon and Maayan Edwy, or the Beam-Team as the trio like to be called, keep an entrepreneurial dialogue synonymous with Facebook in the use of material, process and structure, ensuring their enticing designs stay at the forefront of innovation.
Spread over four floors at 3,300sq.m, the Tel Aviv Facebook office comprises open flowing spaces that provide the all-important creative and inspiring atmosphere, achieved through a combination of open and transparent office spaces designed with natural materials and coloured arabesques.
The prominent social atmosphere that defines Facebook is reflected in the huge industrial flavoured office space. The area combines workstations with fun, play, recreation and lounge areas, and at its heart, an open kitchen inviting office team interaction over a luxurious lunch break.
Studio Beam's collaboration with Setter Architects in designing lighting pendants for the project was characterised by requested industrial iron, rustic flavoured lighting that blends with the wide-open space. The materials are contemporary and bold, reflecting the spirit of Facebook and encouraging the same attitude in its employees.
Studio Beam designed the Ocean Mariner lighting pendants, inspired by rough rusty fishing port lanterns, boats and deep fishing cages, illuminated by decorative LED bulbs, bringing into the office the winter sea breeze of the nearby old fishing marine port of Tel Aviv.
For the main spaces, Studio Beam designed the Tracking Tube pendant; elongated cylindrical T5 iron luminaires with a rustic finish. These hang from the tall ceiling by rustic iron chains, paving the roots from central socialising areas to the more colourful and intimate corners and offices.
www.setter.co.il
www.studio-beam.com
Pics: Itay Sikolski
Paris-Gare De L'est Hotel, France
Hungarian interior designer Zsofia Varnagy and German architect Axel Schoenert of architectural agency Axel Schoenert architectes created their so-called ‘global interior concept’, the spring spirit, for its interior design scheme at the Paris-Gare de l’Est Hotel. Commissioned by the Paris Inn Group to refurbish the hotel, the pair created an interior in harmony with the architectural concept embodying spring’s energy and brightness, providing a moment of pure wellbeing all year round in the heart of Paris, France.
As specialists in hotel design, one of Axel Schoenert architectes’ goals was to enhance the previously dim lighting of the hotel. As part of the spring spirit, every detail of design from the organic and vegetal shaped chairs to the bright pendant and floor lamps, reminds guests of the freshness and brilliance of spring, showcasing the colours specially chosen to embody this concept.
Entering through the hotel’s lobby, guests are greeted with several Soleil ceiling lights by Foscarini, used to embody spring’s energy. Small suns illuminate the hall, immediately placing visitors into a welcoming and comfortable environment. The custom made reception desk has been designed with an integrated LED lighting feature. The butterfly pattern symbolises spring and spreads out with finesse on the reception desk, with a backlight giving a fine and elegant appearance. This is a stylistic signature of Axel Schoenert architectes that can be found in many of their projects.
Moving up to the hotel’s bedrooms, Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola’s Tatou S1 suspension lamps from her Tatou collection for Flos are suspended above the tables, while the bed head is enhanced using Wever & Ducré LEENS ceiling spotlights, highlighting the texture of the headboard. Lucera’s made to measure Bedlite reading lamps allow guests to read in a comfortable light.
Alongside the Tatou S1 ceiling pendants, Urquiola's Tatou F floor and Tatou T1 table lights are also used around the bedrooms. Designed like a beehive, with colours and waves to embody spring, these additions provide further gentle yet bright illumination in the rooms. Lumina's Flo bedside lamps appear on the desks underneath the TV for close-up illumination, while the ensuite bathrooms feature made to measure mirrors equipped with DMP's LED lights designed by Varnagy.
While enjoying a spot of spring at the Paris-Gare de l'Est Hotel, guests can venture down from their rooms to the hotel's restaurant for a light breakfast or an evening meal and a drink at the bar before venturing out into the Parisian capital. Italian designer Fabbian’s Ray collection illuminates the dining area above each table, emitting a cosy light for a gentle dining ambience. The bar’s lighting also generates a comfortable and intimate atmosphere, while keeping the overall spirit of spring, with Italian lighting designer Contardi’s Cornelia collection of ceiling lights above the counter.
As well as aesthetics, Axel Schoenert architectes had a number of requirements from the operator regarding the environment, and implemented several measures to save energy; LED lights are used throughout the hotel. In the rooms, all lighting fixtures are controlled with energy saver keycard switches, turning everything on when entering the room. Varnagy and Schoenert worked together with the operators to adapt the lighting to meet the needs of all involved parties, with some lighting fixtures used to enhance design, such as the integrated LED butterfly on the reception desk. In the lobby and the corridors, separate lighting scenarios were created for day, evening and night to ensure no light is wasted and over-used.
In glowing luminosity, the Paris-Gare de l’Est Hotel houses a bright, optimistic interior, ensuring guests enjoy a warm, spring-like stay no matter what time of year.
www.as-architecture.com
www.varnagy.com
Pics: Luc Boegly
NEO/CRAFT enlightens Volkswagen
(Germany) - NEO/CRAFT was chosen by KMS BLACKSPACE to illuminate Volkswagen’s exhibition at this year’s IAA. The collaborative creative display brought something new to the German car manufacturer’s space, in adherence to the IAA 2015 motto “Think New”. Based on Volkwagen’s new brand campaign, its appearance at the show focused on the key visuals of the campaign with coloured installations called “boosts” featuring throughout the booth.
The exhibition concept guided visitors via colour-coded worlds, featuring the “Coffee Garden” amongst others, illuminated by NEO/CRAFT’s play of coloured lighting. As a modern company with an innovative approach to lighting, NEO/CRAFT’s scheme had several purposes throughout the exhibition, as it also staged and coloured the bar at the centre of the room, drawing attention to it as a central hub.
Its versatile colour scheme adhered perfectly to the Volkswagen brand campaign and the lighting concept for the entire lounge, creating an exclusive, refreshing atmosphere with warm light and golden tones.
Prandina's new coloured finishings
(Italy) - Prandina introduces new furnishings among collections.
The blue lagoon colour is now available for the whole Gong suspension family, available in a variety of sizes to suit different applications.
The iconic Glam table lamp with a blown glass diffuser has also been renewed with a new shiny copper diffuser.
Charles Lethaby Lighting’s starry Christmas
(UK) - Charles Lethaby Lighting’s Elara lights were selected for 2015 Christmas window displays of Hobbs British clothing store. Already featured in 20 UK Hobbs stores, the gold starburst lights sparkle from Brighton to Edinburgh.
Alongside Elara, Lethaby created and supplied Hobbs with a new over-sized model, as well as a smaller non-illuminated model to compliment the display.
Having set up the business in September 2014, Lethaby commented on the swift achievement: “This opportunity has been a real turning point for the business, which is still really in its infancy. To see an idea evolve from conception to realisation in this way has been a great learning experience and privilege.”
Charles Lethaby Lighting and Hobbs share the brand values of authentic British design, making a suited union for effective display.
www.charleslethabylighting.com
Factorylux lights TFI Friday set
(UK) - Nineties TV classic TFI Friday returns to Channel 4 with set lighting by Factorylux.
The TFI team relied on Factorylux’s next day service to get the 50 bespoke light fittings designed and made, using Factorylux’s Made For You next day bespoke lighting service and the Factorylux conduit range, and delivered to set on time.
The lighting design includes two new wall lights, the industrial lantern and grey enamel Coolicon, designed and made for TFI Friday. The Factorylux industrial lantern was wall-mounted using the Factorylux adjustable conduit joint, while the grey enamel Coolicon was fitted using a silver lamp holder and swan neck, all made in the UK.
Fizzy pop, music and Davide Groppi
(Worldwide) - Italian designer Davide Groppi announces participation in Coca-Cola Company and music artist will.i.am’s Ekocycle initiative.
The collaborative brand is driven by the ambition of using recycled materials to create desirable consumer products. Davide Groppi’s Neuro lamp was added to the exclusive Ekocycle Shop in Harrods this year. Available in a special version made by recycled materials, the Neuro lamp re-interprets the original idea of the first electric light fixtures.
Its simple features include a plug, write, rPP insulator, rALU shade and 9.5 W LED bulb. The final design solution depends on how parts are positioned; consumer decides how to place the insulators and write, contributing in this way to the overall creative process.
darc awards winners announced
(UK) - darc night a celebration of the best in architectural and decorative lighting design with a spectacular display of lighting installations. Twelve winners announced.
The winners of the darc awards were announced at darc night, the awards ceremony, that took place at Testbed1 / Doodlebar in London on September 24th.
They were:
Best Interior Scheme - High Budget and darc award (project with the most votes): Fulton Center, New York, USA by Arup, USA
Best Interior Scheme - Low Budget: Sorae Sushi Sake Lounge, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam by ASA Studio, Vietnam
Best Exterior Scheme - High Budget: Sczcecin Philharmonic, Sczcecin, Poland by Anoche, Spain
Best Exterior Scheme - Low Budget: Shadow Play, Hämeenlinna, Finland by WhiteNight Lighting, Finland
Best Landscape Scheme - High Budget: UK Pavilion, Milan Expo 2015 by BDP, UK
Best Landscape Project - Low Project: Memories of the Mirror, Barceolona, Spain by Lupercales, Spain
Best Light Art Installation: Light Bariier by Kimchi and Chips, Korea and UK
Best Decorative Lighting Installation: Emergence, Heathrow T2, UK by Cinimod, UK
Best Unrealised Lighting Concept: Maritime Museum of Denmark by Lucia Moreno Abenojar – Lumabe, Spain
Best Interior Architectural Lighting Product: Laser Blade by iGuzzini
Best Exterior Architectural Lighting Product: VarioLED Flex Venus by LED Linear
Best Decorative Lighting Product: Dimple by ByBeau
Free admission to darc night was available to independent lighting designers that voted as well as to interior designers and architects (lighting suppliers will be subject to a charge) turning the traditional awards ceremony protocol on its head. The awards evening was a complete change to the norm with free street food and drinks all night, lighting installations by lighting designers who have teamed up with the sponsoring manufacturer partners, and a completely different format for presenting the evening.
There were over 400 entries for the darc awards, an amazing response to an inaugural competition and proof that designers are looking for something new and refreshing. Decorative lighting categories consist of Best Decorative Lighting Installation, Best Light Art Installation and Best Decorative Lighting Product.
Projects were shortlisted by an international panel of professional architectural lighting designers and light artists before being voted on by the lighting design profession in the first ever peer-to-peer lighting design awards.
Product categories (both decorative and architectural) went straight to the public vote so that lighting designers could genuinely vote for their favourite products from the last three years.
Manufacturer partners are Concord (who are teaming up with Speirs + Major); Cooledge (Light Bureau); Griven (Paul Nulty Lighting Design); Innermost (Elektra); KKDC (dpa); L&L Luce&Light (LDI); LSE Lighting (Troup Bywaters + Anders); Lucent (Michael Grubb Studio); Lumino (Electrolight); Megaman (Design In progress); Reggiani (BDP); and Zumtobel (Arup).
Each manufacturer / designer team was responsible for creating a lighting installation that was on display during darc night.
The technical partner at darc night was XL Video and the awards were manufactured by Applelec from a unique design by Kerem Asfuroglu of Dark Source who's dark graphic novels were the inspiration for the branding of darc night. The event was curated by Light Collective and is part of the International Year of Light 2015 programme. The darc awards is supported by both the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and the Society of Light + Lighting (SLL).
Artemide expands with new showrooms
(Worldwide) - Artemide continues to grow with new flagship stores in Chicago, US, and Warsaw, Poland, confirming expansion strategy involving significant cities and shopping districts. Both designed by architecture firm Studio de Bevilacqua, the Chicago store is a 2,800sqft showroom, showcasing the full range of Artemide lighting solutions, including new products, iconic fixtures and the latest innovative lights for architectural projects.
Studio de Bevilacqua maintained the integrity of the industrial building, incorporating the existing structure and architectural details, like exposed brick walls and wooden ceiling beams, into the design. By adding walls to separate without enclosing display areas, there is a seamless flow from room to room. Suspended cloud ceilings allowed Artemide to display ceiling and suspended fixtures at a realistic height without compromising the original ceiling structure.
Three large windows on West Hubbard Street allow passersby to look in through the entire space. The showroom is designed to serve as an exhibition space and lighting competency centre. It serves as a meeting point and consulting space for design professionals working on residential, hospitality, office, retail and outdoor urban and landscaping projects.
Founder of Artemide Group Ernesto Gismondi commented: “The Chicago market has been integral to the growth of Artemide in North America. We are thrilled to re-open this location for the sophisticated consumers, interior designers and architects of Chicago. Through the new showroom we will showcase a wide array of products that reflect the lighting competences that the Artemide team has developed over the years.”
Further to this, Artemide open the first branded showroom in Warsaw, Poland, including Central and Eastern Europe. In the centre of the city’s university district, the showroom is hosted inside a historical building containing the Idea MM exhibiting venue, a partner in the introduction of Artemide in Poland and distributor of international furniture brands.
The showroom offers high-level technological solutions for the lighting sector and an overview of the highlights of the Design and Architectural, Indoor and Outdoor collections of the Artemide and Danese product range. Conceived to provide a comprehensive overview of Artemide appliances, the one-storey showroom features spaces designed according to different colour codes to introduce smart lighting projects, closely focused on sustainability and designed by international architects and designers.
A place providing the right solution for any project, the showroom stands as a reference point for designers, a lighting consultancy centre for architects and professional lighting designers, offering a blend of products, competence, and design. Lighting specialists can find interactive and multimedia catalogues, supported by digital services that ensure perfect energy management for a sensible use of lighting, including the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) calculation system.
Factorylux Gold Collection
Factorylux Gold Collection includes gold cages, shades, lamp holders and fittings all designed by Factorylux. Gold plated in the UK, Gold Collection pieces are available as components or complete light fittings using the Factorylux Made For You bespoke service.
www.urbancottageindustries.com
New Sales Manager for Factorylux
(UK) - UK lighting manufacturer Factorylux recruits Chris Schulkins as London-based sales manager.
With ten years experience in the lighting industry experience, Schulkins was senior Project Manager for KKDC in the UK before developing sales in Northern Europe as Regional Distribution Manager.
Schulkins will work with the London lighting design community and project managers to facilitate specification and installation of Factorylux products. His remit also includes working with designers to expand range of Factorylux Xicato luminaires.
Factorylux Managing Director Graham Appleyard expressed his enthusiasm for Schulkins’ recruitment: "We’re thrilled to have recruited someone as experienced as Chris. We’ve been looking for the right person to work with designers and specifiers in London for some time. Chris is the perfect candidate with extensive technical knowledge, well-organised, and 100% reliable.”
Schulkins commented: "After over three years at KKDC I was ready for a new challenge. Factorylux has a great range of existing products and the new Factorylux Xicato luminaires present a unique opportunity. In addition to getting the existing products specified and installed, the Factorylux UK manufacturing base enables me to work with designers to fast-track the creation of new and original luminaires for projects large and small.”
