The property boasts a spectacular first-floor atrium area with a seven-storey high ceiling from which an illuminated pendant structure is suspended above diners. Prolyte Group's special projects division, Litestructures, was approached by building contractor John Sisk & Sons to manufacture, build and commission this feature as part of the overall project.
The striking luminous pendant, based on a design developed by GIA Lighting, comprises a series of aluminium frames, linked together by braces at the upper frame, assembled in a concentric orientation. Braces link the outer and inner sections to provide stability to the outer perimeter.
Entertainment and event fabric specialists J&C Joel supplied white Joelastic, a wide poly-stretch fabric with a sheen finish, to cover the frames. At locations where the bracing pierces the intervening inner skin, an aperture is incorporated and has sewn around it a short lycra sleeve of the same colour. This moulds around the bracing as it passes through, effectively sealing the gap, preventing light bleed. The entire pendant hangs from a central cord system, utilising a hoist solution that allows it to be lowered for maintenance purposes. The power feeds and suspension wire are within a single containment system to make the visual scene clean and integrated.
Phillips iColor Cove MX Powercore was selected as the LED solution for the project, alongside a LiteSwitch DMX control, giving time and daylight triggered environment management from a single ultra-compact wall mount panel. Finally, wireless DMX was specified for maximum simplicity and reliability, completing a comprehensive installation that adds a focal feature to this landmark development.
(Jim Evans)
