The 55,000sq.ft, Paul Steelman (PSDG) interior designed venue is owned and operated by London Clubs Management (LCM) a wholly owned subsidiary of the largest gaming company in the world, Harrahs. Burrows Cave International (BCI) continued their relationship with LCM by handling the interpretation and realisation of PSDG interior design scheme from their London offices.
TMC were asked to provide an exterior lighting scheme that would come alive with colour and anticipation, generate interest and excitement among passers by and ensure that the world class venue stood out in one of London's busiest thoroughfares. They asked Robe UK's Bill Jones to collaborate in devising a lighting scheme to meet the client's requirements.
TMC's Martin Tarpy and Dave Turnbull discussed initial ideas with Jones and Nathan Wan (Robe UK's design and technical services specialist) to create a system that would have the desired impact on this vibrant location.
Wan worked from the Architect's drawings and produced his own CAD files to which the Anolis fixtures were applied as he and Jones drew up the final specifications for the project. These were then transferred into 3D video and still images for TMC to show the client for approval - the project was managed for LCM by Shaun Doyle of SDM.
Anolis products were chosen for many reasons; primarily because of their high quality optics and output and the ease of installation - straight out of the box, explains Bill Jones. He goes on to add that Anolis' general toughness and superior build quality were also deciding factors. The main facade of the building features a total of 50 Anolis ArcSource Inground 12 RGB flood fixtures with 25° lenses and 12 ArcLine Optic 36 RGB outdoor strips with 25° lenses illuminating under the front canopies.
Uplighting the first floor balcony walls are eight Arc Source Inground 12 RGB and four Arc Source Outdoor 36 RGB units, while the front columns are highlighted by four ArcLine Outdoor Optic 36 RGB 25° lenses - which are also used to light the archway ceiling.
The lighting picture on the venue's front fascia is completed with the installation of two Robe ColorSpot 1200E AT moving heads - in hard domes - located at the edges of the first floor balcony. These are used for image projection and branding onto the main facade.
Inside The Casino at The Empire, the Shadow Dancing Bar features two Robe ColorMix 575 AT fixtures, which are used to provide point source lighting for the dancers; and controlled by the room's ShowCAD system.
One of the lifts to the main casino has eight ArcSource 7 RGB WW fixtures which provide colour changing effects triggered by the lift's movements.
TMC's Dave Turnbull comments: "The service and design package we have received form Robe has been superb. It has been a real pleasure working with Bill and Nathan - they are very thorough and meticulous in their approach - and the results speak for themselves."
(Jim Evans)
