Focus: Balance
Sally Storey of Lighting Design International examines the anatomy of a luxury Swiss hotel lighting scheme
The brief was to design a scheme that complemented the use of vernacular materials blended with contemporary interior styles, and to use light to create a different atmosphere for the diverse seasonal usage of the hotel – a warm and inviting atmosphere in the winter and a fresh, invigorating atmosphere in the summer.
Throughout the space the different and contrasting textures have been highlighted by the use of floor-recessed uplights to embroidered curtains, weathered timber wall panels and rough stone walls. The use of uplights creates continuity throughout, while emphasising the different use of materials.
Recessed directional uplights with a tilt lens highlight the natural tree-trunk effect of the reception desk, while a multiple glass-shaded pendant provides a focal point
Balancing all the light levels was essential as there was a large expanse of windows with Alpine views on one side so that the scene setting balanced daytime to après ski. Using a control system, the settings were pre-set and linked to daylight and the time of day, with a provision for manual override.
The entrance reception lobby was designed to create a flow of movement from the lower ground arrival level up a sweeping staircase to the ground-floor lounge. The stairs have been set against a rough timber, horizontally slatted wall, highlighted with floor-recessed uplights, creating a dramatic backdrop for the grand staircase.
