“Tea at The Savoy”? Although iconic the original Thames Foyer was an airy space appealing for breakfast or afternoon scones; with high ceilings and a vast glass dome overhead, the area was deserted by noon and again by dinner. The brief was to recreate the space to entice lunchtime diners through to pre-dinner drinkers. Creating an evolving atmosphere complimentary of the hour encouraging guests to stay and not pass through to other F&B outlets.
Lighting a flexible space encompassing bright breakfasting to intimate post show cocktails and everything in between is a challenge. Add to the mix grand high ceilings, a 25ft glass dome open to the grey London sky and heritage gravitas the project was a true test of design and technology. An ambitious evolving space needed a particularly creative lighting strategy to set the mood and guide focus whilst preserving the traditional setting.
The bold decision was made to block all natural light from the dome and install hidden RGBW luminaires behind the glass. Individually programmed to mimic the suns position, colour and intensity this provided the ability to reliably replicate a bright sunny morning, golden sunset and inky blue twilight. Now with a controllable ambience, discrete architectural effects and contemporary feature lighting help focus attention and complete the scheme.
General architectural lighting is layered from high-output deeply recessed downlights highlighting artwork, tables and walkways, through to mid-level column uplights and wall lights all the way down to low level low-glare uplighting, intimate table lamps and floor standing lamps.
Decorative lighting was exclusively bespoke to The Savoy with each fitting a collaboration between the interior designers and Atelier Lighting as both lighting design consultants and bespoke creators. Combining the latest LED chip sources, lamps and controls with intricate, hand-made materials such as Italian alabaster, solid brass and hand-sewn silk ensured the quarter-of-a-tonne chandeliers provided the right light level, colour temperature and dimming stability whilst the finishes of the tactile floor and table lamps deliver the quality and workmanship that The Savoy guest expects to experience.
Lastly controls are finely programmed to seamlessly evolve the ambience throughout the day, perfectly suiting the time and service offering. Integrating lighting control with motorised shading over wall mirrors and the bar furthered the ability to finely tune how light is reflected, perceived and how the open space is divided.
The overall result is breathtaking, over delivers on the client brief and is befitting to be part of the next chapter of London’s home of glamourous hospitality, The Savoy.
