Montcalm Mayfair, UK

Montcalm Mayfair is a newly refurbished five-star boutique hotel in London, transforming four adjoining Georgian townhouses into a 150-room destination just off Park Lane. Designed in collaboration with architects Holland Harvey, interior designers Studio Mica and Studio Est, the project balances heritage sensitivity with contemporary luxury — with lighting playing a defining role in shaping mood, cohesion, and identity throughout.

The hotel’s design draws on the neighbourhood’s botanical heritage and the lighting design amplifies this theme, responding to floral ceiling murals, natural stone finishes, and seasonal colour palettes to create a warm, textural, and evolving guest experience.

The brief called for a lighting solution that was visually captivating, technically robust, and adaptable across a diverse series of spaces. The strategy enhances both functionality and sensory impact, with precise attention given to colour temperature, lighting hierarchy, and the interaction of light with materials. A central challenge lay in integrating the lighting seamlessly with the building’s historic fabric, ensuring it complemented the architectural heritage while reinforcing the refined modern character of the interiors.

We approached the project with a cinematic mindset, exploring how light could guide movement, subtly frame experiences, and shift emotion without any change to the architecture itself. This perspective became especially important given the building’s deep floor plan, where some public areas sit far from a window and rely entirely on artificial light. In these spaces, lighting carries the full responsibility of shaping mood and comfort throughout the day and night. In a hotel environment, where soft furnishings and layout cannot be easily adjusted to influence ambience, light becomes the primary design tool. This thinking informed a scheme that balances practicality with artfulness, drawing out the tactile richness of surfaces while guiding guests intuitively from public areas into more private zones.

Sustainability was built into the design from the outset. Energy-efficient fixtures reduce the hotel’s environmental impact, while a central control system automatically adjusts levels based on time of day, operational needs, and seasonal changes. This ensures that both guest comfort and staff efficiency are supported while optimising energy use.

In the central bar and restaurant Lilli by Akira Back, custom bronze pendants were introduced — a sculptural focal point that casts a soft, diffused glow. Lighting programmes gradually transition from bright daytime settings to rich, atmospheric evening scenes, supporting the shift in activity and guest expectation.

Guest rooms were treated as intimate, user-focused environments, with lighting integrated into joinery and furniture to enhance comfort and clarity. Meticulously detailed task lights, reading lights, and illuminated mirrors deliver a layered, intuitive experience tailored to guest needs.

Wayfinding also shaped the overall scheme. At reception, a progression of downlights subtly pulls guests toward the check-in area, creating intuitive navigation without relying on signage. Warm dimmable fixtures highlight marble floors, and side lighting reveals planting and artwork. In lower-ground areas such as the spa, reduced and tightly controlled light levels support the transition into a calm, retreat-like atmosphere.