Architectural Lighting Schemes for Demanding Environments

Project Summary:

Location: Cardiff
Sector: Retail
Value: £22K
Duration: 1 Month
Client: Powell
Architect: Powell Dobson

In May 2018, Cardiff airport reached a new milestone on its way to transformation – 1.5 million customers a year now choose to fly from the Welsh capital.

With over 50 direct flights and 900 connections, the passenger numbers are expected to continue growing. Following the recent £4m redevelopment of the airport, Cardiff is becoming one step closer to its ambitious vision of becoming an outstanding capital city.

Situated in the rural valley of Glamorgan, and originally set up as a wartime satellite aerodrome and training base, the airfield officially started operating in 1942.

LARGE SCALE £4M FITOUT.

With the aim of maximising the daylight and creating a comfortable place to work, the design brief was based on increasing the ceiling height by exposing all of the services. This allowed sufficient space for suspended lighting to be used throughout the entire fitout scheme and achieving the LG7 standard.

The design brief was driven by a subtle interplay of the original Art Deco style building and the large factory style perimeter windows. The objective was to create a contemporary workspace with an industrial look and feel, attractive to future tenants.

Full lighting design, lighting calculations and 3D visualisation have been produced to support the design team. In the main circulation area in the departure lounge, the cylindrical adjustable spot Sett suspended was specified and used. Offering a perfect balance of light quality, efficiency and output with a clean industrial look, the Sett is a perfect choice for demanding commercial applications with high ceilings and long periods of continuous use.

With stunning views across the Vale of Glamorgan, the stylish Executive Lounge and new 51° Business Lounge offers commuters touchdown areas. Decorated in slate grey colour referencing the Welsh slate heritage, the 51° Business Lounge, featuring a bespoke wooden slatted ceiling detail, was designed incorporating linear lighting at a random pattern. Various lengths of the Lopen Surface mounted have been used to create the pattern. The Lopen has a versatile clean-cut linear profile with outstanding efficiency and performance. Compact, yet powerful and highly reliable, it has been designed with attention to detail, ticking all the right boxes for the function and design.

“The lighting designed for the main circulation space of the departure lounge includes suspended downlights with a modern industrial look and feel. linear profiles were also installed within the baffles, incorporating different lengths in a random fashion to bring a bit of playfulness into the new-look scheme at Cardiff Airport.”

Marcela Pomphrey – Marketing Director

A few words from Gareth Knight, Technical Director at POWELL

1# What was the design brief for this project?

The aim of the project was to improve overall experience for passengers flying out of Wales. The new environment needed to be light, open, airy and functional.

2# What were you trying to achieve with the lighting?

The client required uniform distribution, complementing the new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and the acoustic ceiling panel clouds (stars and clouds).

3# What made you choose 299 Lighting?

Portfolio of product offerings, design service, cost.

4 # What did you like about the service?

High standard of Design service, customer relationship.

5# Are you happy with the results?

Yes, aesthetics matches design intent, quality of output and fitting was very good and the uniform distribution was also delivered to a high standard.