PROJECT DETAILS
FETTER YARD
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
Installed Products
Smart look, high efficiency: lighting refurbishment for office building in the heart of London
Where fluorescent tubes used to emit a diffuse light, today state-of-the-art LEDs provide efficient and human-centered office lighting. Where the existing luminaires left a rather functional impression, today slim light lines create a contemporary, appealing aesthetic. Fetter Yard is a highly attractive office building in the London Borough of Holborn, northwest of the city center. Between 2019 and 2022, the property underwent a major refurbishment based on plans by ORMS Designers + Architects. The goal: to create a contemporary, fresh look and update the building infrastructure to delight existing tenants and attract new customers. Zumtobel's LED lighting solution not only ensures a uniform look throughout the building and reduces energy consumption. It also enables extremely flexible use of the premises – thanks to uniform, high-quality light right into the farthest corner of the office.
A ground floor and five floors of lettable office space. Plus a shared reception staffed 24/7. A newly designed courtyard for creative breaks in the fresh air or a yoga session in between. Two fitness studios for uncomplicated after-work training. Centrally located and easily accessible from the entire city center. The fully modernized Fetter Yard office building perfectly meets the needs of working London city dwellers. Traditionally, law firms and lawyers have their offices in the Holborn district. Recently, restaurants, cafés and bars have also settled – enlivening the neighborhood.
Uniform luminaire design, contemporary aesthetics
For the comprehensive modernization of the aging Fetter Yard office property, ORMS Designers + Architects faced the challenge of calming the building's irregular, laterally "fraying" shape and unusual historic floor plates with a consistent, restrained spatial aesthetic. The spaces to be leased were to be equipped for every conceivable spatial solution – regardless of what the occupancy plan would look like in the future and where which desks would be arranged.
Lighting by Zumtobel played a decisive role in bringing more brightness into the building, thus giving the rooms a uniform, contemporary look. The basis of the aesthetically convincing lighting solution is the strict linearity of Zumtobel's SLOTLIGHT light line and the multifunctional SUPERSYSTEM LED lighting tool.
A single luminaire for different ceiling situations
To meet the ambitious schedule for the building refurbishment, ORMS and Zumtobel had to overcome two key challenges: Firstly, the refurbishment work coincided with the Covid pandemic – with all the associated imponderables. Secondly, the work had to be organized in such a way that the building's main tenant, the European headquarters of the Marriott International hotel chain, could remain in the property throughout the refurbishment work. The project partners were able to meet both requirements perfectly.
Among the lighting challenges was the need to serve different ceiling situations with a consistent lighting system. New ceilings which are a mixture of demountable ceilings in rafts and plasterboard were installed. The luminaire of choice had to be able to accommodate both types – and serve as a pendant luminaire for a direct/indirect lighting solution in the basement.
From the technical design according to the strict criteria of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to the installation on site: Zumtobel cooperated closely with the designers and architects of ORMS to coordinate the details: "We wanted to make sure that the design, technical output and aligning of the design could be achieved", says Celia Holmes, project lead at ORMS Designers + Architects.
Variable luminaire length as a strategic advantage
An additional challenge was the high variance in luminaire lengths: "We have SLOTLIGHT light lines in use between 90 centimeters and 10 meters in length," says Matt House, London strategic client partner and project manager at Zumtobel. "That's a huge range that no other luminaire system has been able to meet with the same quality of light." In addition to SLOTLIGHT in standard lengths, Zumtobel also provides the light line in lengths specially tailored to the Fetter Yard project.
Recessed, surface-mounted, pendant: SLOTLIGHT in all variants
From the first floor to the fifth floor, the continuous look of SLOTLIGHT light lines gives the rooms a great uniformity. They thus provide a counterbalance to the building's special architectural shapes and the rather unsettled floor plates from the 1980s. These were retained as one of the few interior design elements of the existing building.
SLOTLIGHT infinity is installed in all office and passageway areas of the building – both as recessed and surface-mounted luminaires. In the basement and on the ground floor, the slim light line is used as a suspended version SLOTLIGHT infinity DI. "On the upgraded lower ground office space, suspended metal ceiling rafts conceal the services while exposed soffits and linear up and down lighting enhance the feeling of space," says Celia Holmes of ORMS, describing the office architecture.
The dust and splash-proof version of the SLOTLIGHT light line with IP54 was chosen for the outdoor areas, such as the communally used inner courtyard. The stringent design language creates great harmony and tranquility for the design.
Excellent light no matter where the desk is located
The consistent linearity also allows for great flexibility in room design. "Existing customers and prospective tenants benefit from outstanding lighting quality," says Zumtobel project manager Matt House. "And that's regardless of where in the room a work desk is to be placed – whether on the window front or inside the building." Added to this is optimum glare control with UGR < 19, which enables the best conditions for VDU work.
Also linear, but as a track system, runs SUPERSYSTEM. The multifunctional LED lighting tool by Zumtobel is primarily used in the reception and – in the IP-protected version – in the courtyard.
Round spots complement light lines
Where straight-line light did not fit into the room in terms of design, the round PANOS downlights in the "infinity" and "evolution" versions are used. The toilet rooms of the office building were also equipped with PANOS downlights in the dust- and splash-proof IP54 variant.
The architectural recessed luminaire CARDAN evolution also picks up on the round shape of the ceiling spot. Marriott International uses it in its space for communication zones and social meeting points.
Niche lighting from the portfolio of Zumtobel's sister brand acdc was installed in the lift lobbies on all floors: Linelight blends seamlessly into the architectural surroundings and creates a pleasant atmosphere.
Lighting refurbishment gives new appeal
Comprehensive refurbishment has revitalized the Fetter Yard office property – and turned it into an attractive rental property in the elegant Holborn district. State-of-the-art lighting technology gives the prestigious building a friendly, optimistic feel – and enables highly flexible office designs with the best lighting wherever there is room for a desk.
Light for tomorrow’s working world
At the interface between economy, energy efficiency, tenant needs and brand identity, Zumtobel has developed a holistic lighting concept for an outstanding office building in the British capital. The lighting experts were particularly convincing with the consistent linearity of their lighting solution – and the large variance of available luminaire lengths, which can be flexibly adapted to the conditions in an existing building. For high-performing as well as satisfied tenants. In the working world of tomorrow.
Client: Europa Capital, London (UK) in partnership with Hobart Partners, London (UK)
Architect: ORMS Designers + Architects LTD, London (UK)
Project year: 2022
Where fluorescent tubes used to emit a diffuse light, today state-of-the-art LEDs provide efficient and human-centered office lighting. Where the existing luminaires left a rather functional impression, today slim light lines create a contemporary, appealing aesthetic. Fetter Yard is a highly attractive office building in the London Borough of Holborn, northwest of the city center. Between 2019 and 2022, the property underwent a major refurbishment based on plans by ORMS Designers + Architects. The goal: to create a contemporary, fresh look and update the building infrastructure to delight existing tenants and attract new customers. Zumtobel's LED lighting solution not only ensures a uniform look throughout the building and reduces energy consumption. It also enables extremely flexible use of the premises – thanks to uniform, high-quality light right into the farthest corner of the office.
A ground floor and five floors of lettable office space. Plus a shared reception staffed 24/7. A newly designed courtyard for creative breaks in the fresh air or a yoga session in between. Two fitness studios for uncomplicated after-work training. Centrally located and easily accessible from the entire city center. The fully modernized Fetter Yard office building perfectly meets the needs of working London city dwellers. Traditionally, law firms and lawyers have their offices in the Holborn district. Recently, restaurants, cafés and bars have also settled – enlivening the neighborhood.
Uniform luminaire design, contemporary aesthetics
For the comprehensive modernization of the aging Fetter Yard office property, ORMS Designers + Architects faced the challenge of calming the building's irregular, laterally "fraying" shape and unusual historic floor plates with a consistent, restrained spatial aesthetic. The spaces to be leased were to be equipped for every conceivable spatial solution – regardless of what the occupancy plan would look like in the future and where which desks would be arranged.
Lighting by Zumtobel played a decisive role in bringing more brightness into the building, thus giving the rooms a uniform, contemporary look. The basis of the aesthetically convincing lighting solution is the strict linearity of Zumtobel's SLOTLIGHT light line and the multifunctional SUPERSYSTEM LED lighting tool.
A single luminaire for different ceiling situations
To meet the ambitious schedule for the building refurbishment, ORMS and Zumtobel had to overcome two key challenges: Firstly, the refurbishment work coincided with the Covid pandemic – with all the associated imponderables. Secondly, the work had to be organized in such a way that the building's main tenant, the European headquarters of the Marriott International hotel chain, could remain in the property throughout the refurbishment work. The project partners were able to meet both requirements perfectly.
Among the lighting challenges was the need to serve different ceiling situations with a consistent lighting system. New ceilings which are a mixture of demountable ceilings in rafts and plasterboard were installed. The luminaire of choice had to be able to accommodate both types – and serve as a pendant luminaire for a direct/indirect lighting solution in the basement.
From the technical design according to the strict criteria of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to the installation on site: Zumtobel cooperated closely with the designers and architects of ORMS to coordinate the details: "We wanted to make sure that the design, technical output and aligning of the design could be achieved", says Celia Holmes, project lead at ORMS Designers + Architects.
Variable luminaire length as a strategic advantage
An additional challenge was the high variance in luminaire lengths: "We have SLOTLIGHT light lines in use between 90 centimeters and 10 meters in length," says Matt House, London strategic client partner and project manager at Zumtobel. "That's a huge range that no other luminaire system has been able to meet with the same quality of light." In addition to SLOTLIGHT in standard lengths, Zumtobel also provides the light line in lengths specially tailored to the Fetter Yard project.
Recessed, surface-mounted, pendant: SLOTLIGHT in all variants
From the first floor to the fifth floor, the continuous look of SLOTLIGHT light lines gives the rooms a great uniformity. They thus provide a counterbalance to the building's special architectural shapes and the rather unsettled floor plates from the 1980s. These were retained as one of the few interior design elements of the existing building.
SLOTLIGHT infinity is installed in all office and passageway areas of the building – both as recessed and surface-mounted luminaires. In the basement and on the ground floor, the slim light line is used as a suspended version SLOTLIGHT infinity DI. "On the upgraded lower ground office space, suspended metal ceiling rafts conceal the services while exposed soffits and linear up and down lighting enhance the feeling of space," says Celia Holmes of ORMS, describing the office architecture.
The dust and splash-proof version of the SLOTLIGHT light line with IP54 was chosen for the outdoor areas, such as the communally used inner courtyard. The stringent design language creates great harmony and tranquility for the design.
Excellent light no matter where the desk is located
The consistent linearity also allows for great flexibility in room design. "Existing customers and prospective tenants benefit from outstanding lighting quality," says Zumtobel project manager Matt House. "And that's regardless of where in the room a work desk is to be placed – whether on the window front or inside the building." Added to this is optimum glare control with UGR < 19, which enables the best conditions for VDU work.
Also linear, but as a track system, runs SUPERSYSTEM. The multifunctional LED lighting tool by Zumtobel is primarily used in the reception and – in the IP-protected version – in the courtyard.
Round spots complement light lines
Where straight-line light did not fit into the room in terms of design, the round PANOS downlights in the "infinity" and "evolution" versions are used. The toilet rooms of the office building were also equipped with PANOS downlights in the dust- and splash-proof IP54 variant.
The architectural recessed luminaire CARDAN evolution also picks up on the round shape of the ceiling spot. Marriott International uses it in its space for communication zones and social meeting points.
Niche lighting from the portfolio of Zumtobel's sister brand acdc was installed in the lift lobbies on all floors: Linelight blends seamlessly into the architectural surroundings and creates a pleasant atmosphere.
Lighting refurbishment gives new appeal
Comprehensive refurbishment has revitalized the Fetter Yard office property – and turned it into an attractive rental property in the elegant Holborn district. State-of-the-art lighting technology gives the prestigious building a friendly, optimistic feel – and enables highly flexible office designs with the best lighting wherever there is room for a desk.
Light for tomorrow’s working world
At the interface between economy, energy efficiency, tenant needs and brand identity, Zumtobel has developed a holistic lighting concept for an outstanding office building in the British capital. The lighting experts were particularly convincing with the consistent linearity of their lighting solution – and the large variance of available luminaire lengths, which can be flexibly adapted to the conditions in an existing building. For high-performing as well as satisfied tenants. In the working world of tomorrow.
Client: Europa Capital, London (UK) in partnership with Hobart Partners, London (UK)
Architect: ORMS Designers + Architects LTD, London (UK)
Project year: 2022
SHARE
VISIT PROJECT