The Chancery Rosewood hotel opened its doors this Autumn, having undergone an extensive restoration led by architects David Chipperfield. Chipperfield’s are proud to have realised the UK‘s only BREEAM outstanding luxury hotel to date. Architectural FX supplied most of the LED linear lighting throughout the hotel.
Chancery Rosewood is the former US Embassy on Grosvenor Square, London. ‘Little America’ as it was known, was home to America’s second President John Adams in the 1780s. Nowadays, visitors can see Elizabeth Frink’s large bronze memorial to the Eagle Squadron in its park. This iconic Grade II listed building has been reconstructed by its Qatari owners for a reported £1 billion plus. It blends modernist lines with sumptuous elegance, and the new hotel floor space is almost twice the size of the original embassy. The hotel houses 144 suites and four restaurants -the first European version of New York’s Carbone and an exciting revival of Le Caprice.
The interior is a blend of Art Deco mixed with mid-century glamour, brought to life by the French interior designer Joseph Dirand.
Architectural FX worked closely with the appointed lighting designers, Lighting Design International (LDI), to realise the linear lighting design throughout the hotel. This included suites, corridors, restaurants, bars, ballrooms, function rooms, a spa, staircases, lift lobbies, and public areas.
LDI wanted to preserve the heritage and historic integrity of the building and also to enhance the contemporary luxury standard of finishes. This was achieved through a lighting layering strategy and a careful integration of architectural lighting and decorative lighting.
Architectural FX worked closely with the designers, but also with all the installing contractors involved in the project. Phoenix ME were responsible for electrical installations throughout the suites, communal areas and corridors. From the onset, Phoenix ME and the main contractor Multiplex had concerns about project co-ordination and demands, due to the volume of fixtures and tight project timelines. 9/12Extensive fine-tuning was called for. Every area of the project, including each individual suite had slightly different dimensions. Architectural FX is experienced with these site challenges and our internal project management team agreed to accept orders based on nominal lengths. This allowed us to collate all product and then deliver within 2 weeks of the confirmed dimensions.
The working partnership between the supplier and contractor worked extremely well. Phoenix ME demonstrated great site organisation, and joint communications were very good. For example, if there were 20 Suites on one floor, these would be split into ‘zones’. This allowed manufacturing to start over 2 weeks, with staggered assemblies (which had been ordered in advance).
Suites
There are 144 Suites, including the two vast penthouses, all lit with Architectural FX’s linear Integrate and Neon range. Integrate 2, 4, and 5 are installed with a variety of different cover options to suit the application; A narrow optic was used to wash down the curtains and provide a glow on the vertical timber panelling. Opal lines were used throughout the integrated joinery and IP rated fittings were used through bathrooms; under benches, mirrors and slots.
Each suite is designed by Joseph Dirand and reflects a timeless elegance. A warm palette of finishes is used, reminiscent of the original internal architecture. The interiors are bathed in soothing colours and opulent finishes. These include wood and velvet, complimented with green, purple and cream colours. The soft, sandy tones and warm, welcoming colours are reflected, as daylight fades, with warm colour temperatures. Colour rendering throughout the hotel is CRI >90.
Corridors
The lighting in the corridors uses a tuneable white fixture, Integrate 2 was used in combination with tuneable white LED 2200K – 4000K. There is very little daylight in the corridors, so this product is applied indirectly, with an opal cover onto the ceiling. The effect is of a soft, welcoming glow throughout, and a visual widening of the spaces.
Atria
The same Integrate tuneable white LED is also used in the Atria spaces. These were installed with 10 degree narrow optics, one lighting up and the other down. The lighting helps bring this central core to life, and highlights over one million metres of walnut, used to clad the atria.
Spa and Gym
The Asaya Spa reflects the hotel’s elegance. The crowning glory centrepiece is its 25m metre pool and softly lit treatment rooms. High level coffer lighting of the pool is lit primarily with Neon 3D IP67 in tuneable white, all in custom lengths.
Platin IP68 is installed throughout the steam rooms and Platin and Neon products are used in the Fitness centre.
Ballroom
Elektra Lighting were brought in to complete the design of the Ballrooms. The subterranean ballroom at Chancery Rosewood is noted for its state-of-the-art design. It can house up to 750 guests for a reception-style event and over 500 for seated events.
The sense of opulence created in the space focuses on the curved dome. This architectural feature is highlighted by the Erebus product, which follows the curve of the dome. When specifying the product used throughout the ballroom, the curved domes dictated the product used throughout the rest of the space to maintain symmetry. Using a flexible tuneable white LED in these applications wouldn’t reach the required light levels, so Architectural FX proposed the Erebus link module system. This allows us to use higher output products incorporating a heat sink that can track around the curved applications. Once this product satisfied the requirements of the curved domes it was used through the straight coffer and timber panelling details so it effortlessly matched.
Architectural FX worked closely with the multidisciplinary EJ interiors and Environ throughout the installation.
The Eagle Bar
The spectacular Eagle Bar on the 7th floor is overlooked by its namesake the original 1960s gilded Eagle sculpture by Theodore Roszak, which originally adorned the former US Embassy. The atmosphere is described as having “sunset golden glow” vibes, ideal for after-work drinks.
Architectural FX worked closely with Mivan and Braid ME to integrate lighting in the intricate joinery and ceiling features of the bar. Curved Coffers were lit using the Neon 3D TW 2100K – 4400K. Joinery, including bar bottle displays, bar shelving and display cabinets are all lit using the Integrate slim range-designed with warmer tones of 2400K and 2700k to suit each application.
Summary
One of the main challenges for lighting designers LDI was integrating lighting into the angular structures. They also needed to be respectful and creatively subtle with Dirand’s palette of finishes. Architectural FX responded to these integration challenges by working very closely with both design and install teams. MD Chris Skelly comments; ‘We’re proud to have been closely involved with such a landmark luxury hotel. It was challenging and involved a lot of hard work but it is so rewarding to see the results.’
Sandra Brookes and Charlotte Svenson, Associates at LDI, complimented Architectural FX for their optics, efficiency, flexibility and commitment to quality:
‘Lighting Design International (LDI) worked closely with the architects and interior designs to deliver a lighting scheme sympathetic to the architectural features of the listed building, along with the visions of the four different interior designers.
We chose manufacturers that could deliver our range of both technical and physical requirements, to meet our design intent and expectations for this iconic project.
Sustainability was an important element of the project brief, therefore energy efficient products were needed to meet the required BREEAM regulations and high Rosewood standards.
Architectural FX (AFX) has a versatile range of linear lighting allowing use of their products over the whole of the project, including flexible and IP rated products for Spa and Exterior areas. Consistency of outputs and colour temperature over the product ranges were an important consideration for the seamless flow of design between the different areas.
LDI and Architectural FX have a good working relationship over many years on various local and international projects. They also offer a level of service producing and delivering the linear striplights to exact site dimensions, ensuring the high-quality finish expected from the client and hotel operator.’
Ends: Architectural FX is a UK-based architectural lighting manufacturer, privately owned with over 25 years of experience in supplying high-quality linear, decorative, and acoustic lighting solutions. The company and its team are committed to offering suitable products for the Circular Economy and further strengthening their sustainable criteria.
