Lighting in Design

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7 LiD FEB/MAR 2016
While lighting was a significant consideration
in the interior design, it was specified selectively
to complement the high level of natural light in
and around the atrium space. Mood lighting is
introduced with selected
wall fittings and the use of
recessed troughs where
focused task lighting was
not required. Elsewhere,
lighting installations were
guided by specific needs
and budget limitations.
In the open plan of-
fice space and in meeting
rooms, lighting specifica-
tions were driven by the
need to meet required lux levels while recessed
troughs allow for additional mood lighting in public
areas. In pause areas more playful, eclectic fittings
such as pendants were installed. In the business
lounge Herzog & de Meuron wall fittings were
used, introducing a quirky yet practical element as
they can be manipulated
by anyone using the space
to suit individual light lev-
els required.
Throughout the build-
ing the lamps used are
primarily LEDs, to provide
for power saving and lon-
gevity.
At reception the blue
wall – a three-dimension-
al ‘larger-than-life’ repre-
sentation of the Multi-
choice logo, reaching from
ground level to the height
of the fourth floor – is
particularly well-lit so that it can be seen from the
street. Two feature pendants, designed by dsgn
and based conceptually on an interpretation of the
satellite dish, present a unique expression of the
Multichoice identity in the entrance area.
The new Multichoice building is designed to
serve the company well into the future.
Acknowledgements to:
GLH Architects ) and dsgn design
) for information provided
ETFE film:
see
Photographs by Grant Difford Photography,
courtesy of GLH Architects
The transparent ETFE
roof of the atrium,
supported on a shal-
low arched structure of
tubular steel, admits an
abundance of natural
light to the interior.
In the entrance lobby
the ‘larger-than-life’
representation of the
Multichoice logo forms
a bold blue backdrop
to reception and two
purpose-designed
pendant lights present
a conceptual interpreta-
tion of the satellite dish
associated with the
broadcast brand.
The entrance to the building is from the west, where the
hard urban edge of the northwest corner softens into a
curvilinear glazed façade. Night-time lighting accen-
tuates the vertical louvres of the brise-soleil
and the deep overhang of the canti-
levered steel roof that appears
to float above the west
wing.