The 350 capacity lounge maintains a sociable, comfortable atmosphere - the architectural design and lighting scheme is by Henrik Bønnelycke, who has been visibly inspired by contemporary big city club trends, including the venue's bar, chairs and tables.
However, the lighting is what makes the venue unique, with large ceiling and wall-mounted projection canopies awash in rich colors, courtesy of Martin color changing luminaires. Conventional tubes and halogen downlights provide additional lighting.
Behind six wall-mounted projection screens surrounding a central bar area are Martin Cyclo 04 fluorescent color changers, flooding the space with ever changing shades, while decorative images and flickering flames are overlaid by Martin Mania DC2 fire effects. More Cyclo 04s backlight seven large recessed circles or sky domes in the ceiling (four in each dome), giving the appearance of light emanating from above, when in fact the bar sits on the ground floor of a multi-floor hotel. The effect is both uplifting and spacious.
In a uniquely designed lighting element created by the architect himself, ceiling-mounted Alien 02 color changing spots project straight down through a tunnel of special light-guiding mesh, that also acts as a projection surface. The effect is of large, color changing, ceiling to floor lamps, a type of modern-day lava lamp.
Along the façade windows, a row of recessed RGB color mixing Cyclo 04 Wallwashers colour the length of the space and are visible from the street outside. Finally, the double doors between Train and Kupé, are illuminated by more Cyclo 04 Wallwashers.
Lighting control is by a PC-based LightJockey system with all scenes and sequences triggered via a touchscreen. All conventional and halogen lighting is also controlled via LightJockey through 516 II DMX to 0-10 converters. Henrik Kristensen of Martin Scandinavia completed all the lighting programming for this project.
As Kupé is designed to be a place for conversation, the audio system is appropriately discreet. New customizable Martin flat panel speakers are disguised in the ceiling along with supporting subs. The complete lighting and sound system is supplied by Martin Scandinavia.
(Jane Cockburn)
