Ark Hammersmith

Project Details

Project Type

Workplace

Lighting Design

Lichtvision Design

Project Location

Hammersmith, London

Completion

March 2023

Photographer

N/A

Introducing the Ark Hammersmith, located in West London that has recently been reimagined since its original opening in the 1990’s. Today, the Ark stands as a modern and vibrant complex, housing a blend of residential, commercial, and retail spaces.

Spearheaded by the architectural expertise at Gensler and managed by Gardiner and Theobald, this project's success hinged on the innovative use of lighting to create a contemporary atmosphere reminiscent of deluxe hospitality venues.

LEDFlex, in collaboration with Lichtvision, played a central role in bringing this project to life. Lichtvision's lighting design drew inspiration from circadian rhythms, seamlessly integrating these principles to maximise natural daylight through the glazing, providing bright, energising lighting during the day and soothing illumination at night.

The Ark had already achieved heritage status due to its initial design success, necessitating the preservation of the existing exterior lighting scheme; hence it was mainly in the public areas where LEDflex truly shone. For the interiors, careful attention was paid to balancing natural and artificial lighting. Despite the transformation, the building still retains its iconic silhouette, resembling a modern interpretation of the biblical Ark.

With remarkable precision, the entrance stands as a radiant gem adorned with LEDFlex’s Ultimo Neon Silicone Pixel 16 RGBW, elegantly framing the setback courtyard and the centrally located reception area within the core of the building. In this reimagined space, a captivating ribbon journey theme was meticulously crafted to guide guests through the building. Low-level linear using LEDFlex’s Ultimo Neon 16 serves as a guiding beacon, leading the way.

Within the building, the architectural design creatively manipulates spatial dimensions. It begins with a single-height entrance, transitions to a double-height reception area, and features two adjoining atriums. To infuse a sense of hospitality, rich wooden fins adorn the reception and café area walls. The treatment of these walls is further heightened by the expert use of LEDFlex’s Flexi Grazer 23 3D. This lighting solution, distinguished by its dual bend optic feature, excels at gracefully illuminating curved surfaces, accentuating the architectural finesse.

The atria's window illumination is tastefully framed by Ultimo Neon Silicone 10, drawing the eye upward into the eight-story lightwells.

Beyond the main reception and office spaces, The Ark Hammersmith offers a cafe, gym facilities, and the captivating VIP room known as the ‘Crow’s Nest’, perched atop the building to provide breathtaking views across London. Its geometric interior is adorned with Ultra Bright 96 RGBW, creating mesmerising feature lighting visible both from within and outside, effectively transforming The Ark into a landmark building that warmly welcomes visitors to London with its captivating illumination.

The Ark Hammersmith promises a contemporary and convenient lifestyle in one of London's most sought-after locations. Whether you're in search of a luxurious apartment, adaptable office space, or vibrant retail units, this development caters to diverse needs, all gracefully illuminated with the exceptional lighting tools from LEDFlex.