Architecture

Light Defines the Form

Wednesday, 29 July 2009

Posted by Niki Fulton at 14:00 PM in Architecture

Lighting Architects, Speirs and Major Associates, are responsible for lighting many of the world's most interesting buildings.

I was lucky enough to ask Director, Keith Bradshaw a few questions about a recently completed project, the new Armani store in 5th Avenue, New York.

What was your brief?

"A new high profile flagship store on 5th avenue. Lighting brief required a balanced approach to architectural and merchandise lighting. All lighting needed to be flexibility mounted but hidden in a concealed ceiling system. An aspiration to have an animated glass facade resulted in an a custom design chrome polished LED bar. These bars were clustered to create an art screen which would be used to show esoteric brand imagery"

Is it an open plan building with the whirlwind staircase linking areas?

"Yes the stair was the heart of the store connecting different store levels and acting as a bridge between floors"

Did you have to create distinct “spaces” with lighting

"In retail space we used precisely focused lamps to highlight merchandise similar to the approach one would take in a gallery or museum. The restaurant floor uses sensitively tinted light onto tables and bar areas. Bar shelves and bar tops are back lit using an ultra thick LED pad. The perimeter windows uses a very fine curtain with mirror polished LED bars which create a subtle, low resolution video backdrop to the restaurant. A feature back drop wall is lit from below using animated LED lighting to mimic a curtain moving in the breeze. The animation is interactive and increases in intensity when people move past the wall"

The building was designed by Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas Architects. They designed the whirlwind staircase which links the different levels of the store to look like a fluid & sculptural form, like a thread running through the store. This fast time construction[link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T48HBFrnB4Q ] film [end link] shows the staircase being assembled.

The photograph was taken by Ramon Prat of Actar and the copyright of the above image is retained by Speirs and Major Associates and the photographer.

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