The Adelphi is a block of offices with an elaborate marble reception lobby that needed relighting to recreate its 1930s character. Architect Purcell Miller Tritton created a new reception and waiting area. Sutton Vane Associates designed a specially commissioned, wall-mounted lighting feature for the back wall of the main lobby that houses fluorescent tubes. The design of the rectangular brass wall fittings was based on contemporary photographs. A large central chandelier was retained and additional downlighting was introduced.

The lobby’s marble columns were lit from the top to emphasise their height. A mixture of downlighting and wall washing is used to create ambient light. Recessed compact fluorescent lamp downlighting is used to guide visitors to the two lift lobbies where a compact fluorescent lamp wall wash provides ambient light. Challenges included etched glass and shiny marble surfaces including the floor.

In the seating area these included glass and mirrors. There are also glass etchings on the first floor with clear images in the frosted glass that mean that lights cannot be positioned behind the glass. The solution was to backlight using two 35Watt narrow beam metal halide floodlights per bay to create an even distribution of light. The glass has a slightly green hue but the client wanted a warm light so colour temperature was also an issue.

The lobby’s back wall surface was subtly de-glossed so that the fluorescents in the wall feature would not be reflected and the front and side panels of the marble reception desk were lit without causing glare from the polished floor.