FX Awards 2017: The Winners

Lighting Design

Winner: Smythe Library, Tonbridge School
by BDP

Smythe Library, Tonbridge SchoolPhoto Credit: Hufton & Crow

Sponsored by ATRIVM

The school’s former Smythe Library has been transformed by BDP to fulfil current and future needs. Spread over four levels, with extensions to the north and south, the sense of arrival is improved and internal spaces are connected-with adjacent gardens.

High-colour rendering warm-white LEDs with flicker-free dimming replaced lamps. Ambient lighting is provided by linear diffused fittings centrally placed to shelving and centred on windows, such that 200Lx ambience was achieved on vertical shelving with minimal use of lamps.

The central feature arch is illuminated with cool white 4000K to complement daylight; lamps are powered down when sufficient daylight is achieved. Desk lamps enable localised light where needed. Lanterns placed centrally to bay windows create an external-lit effect. Illumination of the glazed staircase to the south is low-level integration within handrails, lighting the space as an external stair while avoiding reflection; this technique, also employed for exterior areas, maintains a low-glare, low-power ambience.

For tech-rich teaching spaces, lighting is flexible and inter-changeable to facilitate different functions.

The design considers the building’s narrow footprint; the largely glazed tower to the south facilitates the natural ventilation strategy – the tower acts as a ventilation stack to draw air through and reduce overheating.

The judges said:

‘Very well executed scheme with good use of low-level and integral lighting throughout as well as consideration of the balance between daylight and artificial light. The lighting brings new energy to an academic backdrop’
 

Finalists & judges' comments

Eurostar Business Premier Lounge by Cinimod Studio
‘Subtle and flattering to all who visit. The LED chandelier is a Tour de France.’

Level Kids by DPA Lighting Consultants
‘A vibrant and visually stimulating environment that provides a great retail experience. Great use of colour’

New-York Historical Society, Tiffany Gallery by DPA Lighting Consultants
‘Perfectly and precisely controlled lighting produces a stunning effect. A heavenly stairwell’

Hyundai Capital Convention Hall by Gensler
‘Beautifully integrated illumination, with lighting and architecture in perfect harmony’

Saarpolygon by Lichtvision Design
‘A wonderful display of light as sculpture’

Old Street by Lighting Design International
‘The lighting product and containment itself has a carefully chosen aesthetic that works very well within the space’

Sunset Walk, Centre MK by Lighting Design International
‘Has a strong visual presence. Stunning entrance space with a strong feature running into the centre’

Wonderlab, Science Museum, London by Michael Grubb Studio
‘Wonderful light you can play with’

Aura by Moment Factory
‘Light as music – a textural delight’

Wellness Clinic, Harrods by Nulty
‘Clean, fresh but not overly clinical lit effect works really well within the space. The lighting creates a high level of visual interest’

La Nuvola (the Cloud), EUR Congressi, Rome by Speirs + Major
‘A technically very demanding brief that has been met with imagination, precision and flair’

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