House of Social, UK

A landmark project for Vita and for student living, House of Social, is a food hall and bar that finds a balance between a cosy, ‘staying-in’ atmosphere and the poppy elements associated with Manchester’s nightlife.

Approaching the building, illuminated archways frame the interior highlighting the threshold and inviting people in. Inside, glowing orbs and pools of light guide you around the space and spotlight tables providing pockets of intimacy at each within the larger, animated environment. Concealed LED to joinery highlights the bespoke craftsmanship and accentuates the warmth of wood throughout establishing a residential quality in extension to the neighbouring student accommodation.

Providing a central anchor to the double-height space above the bar, it was decided that introducing a light art piece into the venue was integral to the scheme and would be advantageous for several reasons:

– Brand Identity – Designing something visually iconic that could become synonymous with House of Social’s identity. The piece’s distinctive form allows the brand to draw consistent visual references across marketing campaigns, social media, and promotional material, reinforcing brand recognition and positioning the venue as a destination defined by design.

– Historic Place-Making –A conceptual nod to the site’s former gas works: through its scale, verticality, and luminous quality, the installation evokes themes of energy, production, and transformation, embedding a subtle narrative of the site’s history into the modern fabric of the building, grounding the venue in its context and creating a meaningful connection between past and present.

– Transformative Tool – Saturating the space’s core with colour, the installation reflects off the gloss-black metal balustrade that wraps around the mezzanine creating a sense of immersion within the void, amplifying its impact and transforming the venue from day to night through colour.

– Interactivity – Designed as an active component of the building rather than a static feature, the installation incorporates dynamic animation with the capability to become audio-reactive during live music performances. This responsiveness allows light, colour, and movement to synchronise with sound, reinforcing the idea that the artwork is woven into the operational and experiential fabric of the venue. The result is a multi-sensory environment where architecture, light, and music work in unison to heighten the visitor experience.

– Impactful Marketing – As a visually striking centrepiece, the installation provides a powerful backdrop for photography, film, and promotional content. Its scale, colour, and dynamism create instantly recognisable imagery, supporting the launch of Vita’s new brand with high-impact visuals. This not only enhances the venue’s market presence but also encourages organic exposure through user-generated content, positioning the space as highly shareable.

Together, these elements position House of Social as a distinctive social destination, where light helps to shape both atmosphere and identity, supporting Vita’s vision for student living while contributing a vibrant new venue to Manchester’s landscape.