Fluke's - Big Penny Social, UK

Flukes is a new interpretation of a traditional Game Hall and is part of Big Penny Social – a community and event venue in Walthamstow, London.

The lighting concept for Flukes transforms the space into a warm, immersive environment that recalls the grit and intimacy of old English social clubs, while supporting the operational demands of a contemporary hospitality venue.

The lighting scheme is rooted in a vintage-inspired palette that enhances the character of the interior, elevating the guest experience. Big Penny Social is known for its open, community-focused spaces, and Flukes extends this ethos into a dedicated games hall featuring pool tables, shuffleboard, interactive darts, karaoke booths and a live performance stage. The name “Flukes,” a term for a lucky shot in pool, captures the playful and social spirit of the venue.

The brief called for a deliberately grungy, nostalgic mood reminiscent of traditional British games rooms. In response, the lighting design centres on warm colour temperatures of 2400K and 2700K, chosen to echo the sodium-rich glow historically associated with pubs, billiard halls and social clubs. This warm light creates a heavy, atmospheric quality that softens the architecture, enhances material textures and frames the activities within a sense of familiarity and comfort.

A layered approach to lighting was fundamental to the scheme. High-level spotlights are discreetly integrated into the structure to provide ambient illumination, ensuring the space remains legible and welcoming without feeling overlit. At lower levels, decorative and wall-mounted fixtures introduce depth, shadow and visual interest, reinforcing the vintage aesthetic. Vertical surfaces are subtly lit to draw the eye across the space, preventing the large games hall from feeling flat or cavernous.

The project was delivered in close collaboration with Unknown Works as base build architect and Hunter’s Daughter as interior designer. This integrated design process ensured the lighting was seamlessly embedded within the architecture and interior finishes, resulting in a cohesive and characterful space. Through its warm, layered and nostalgic lighting design, Flukes offers a distinctive games hall experience that feels both timeless and contemporary.