Creative mission to Abu Dhabi for Middle East Design Week
We were delighted to participate recently on UK creative mission to Abu Dhabi for Middle East Design Week. As a company we know that there is tremendous growth in the GCC and felt this was an excellent opportunity to meet with very high level contacts. As an added bonus we networked with other exhibitors and discussed their ME strategies for export. The mission was extremely well managed by Sue Graves from BCFA who ensured the whole event ran smoothly and the trade missions are an extremely valuable tool for us to check out this market without large expenses. Prior to this trip we had an extremely successful trip to Index Saudi the previous week where we generated a large number of new business contacts of very high quality. Since our return to the UK we have already prepared 4 quotations for future bespoke lighting projects.
VIP Reception St Petersburg
We jumped at the opportunity to work on this project for one of Russia’s prestigious largest companies . Working with the UK architectural team to a very specific design brief they wanted to create a ‘rainfall’ style chandelier in their VIP reception area and a further chandelier in the private dining room. They had just moved into their new HQ premises in St Petersburg which is a very impressive building. The brief to create this chandelier was gold plated arms with amber Swarovski crystal strands to both sides of the arms in varying lengths and quantities of crystals. As you can see by the images a stunning chandelier was produced for this VIP reception area. We were delighted to be asked to install the 2 chandeliers which enabled us to explore this magnificent historic Russian city and spend many hours in The Hermitage soaking up all the fantastic artwork and other displays together with visiting Faberge and even taking a river cruise around the city.
Harrods Shoe Heaven
We were delighted to be asked to provide lighting on 2 very important projects for this prestigious company. Shoe Heaven The store had decided to refurbish their 5th Floor ladies shoe department to create one of the largest square meterage dedicated to shoes in the UK. This was the late David Collins last project. We provided lighting to the main corridor area from lift lobby to lift lobby. The 1st feature light was a 4m rectangular fitting made with mirror glass panels cut to reflect the flooring details. It was then surrounded by faux alabaster with LEDs running all the way round to create a soft, warm ambience. In the other lift lobby we provided chandeliers created from individual handmade ceramic petals – a very delicate operation. Added to these were a series of wall sconces laid into the marble walls together with a number of different table lights which were used to highlight different shoes. T2 HEATHROW AIRPORT Following the refurbishment of T2 at Heathrow airport Harrods opened a dedicated Fine watch retail outlet in the duty free area. Our job was to provide the feature lighting for the shop. This was an eye catching 3m crystal chandelier in the centre with a special finish matching the metal work being used on all the display cabinets. Added to this were 2 x 2m rings in matching finshes . Finally a 3 tier crystal chandelier in the private seating area all bought that extra sparkle to a stunning retail environment showcasing most of the worlds leading watch brands. As befitting such a prestigious project we installed the lighting no mean feat in an airport. Installation could only take place between 11-00pm and 4-00 am however we accomplished this but were left rather tired.
RUYA Restaurant
The owners of this restaurant had opened their first site in Dubai and decided to continue their expansion into London. Conran Design were tasked to bring the similar vision to the UK with the restaurant being located within the Grosvenor House Hotel off Park Lane. We were approached to provide the 4 feature chandeliers to be located within the ceiling voids strategically placed along the length of the restaurant. 3 of the fittings were the same size and the 4th being slightly smaller. The plans were drawn up which involved developing special fixings to enable the arms to fit to the ceiling but with differing lengths and depths to ensure that the 3 layers fitted neatly within the void and that no arm sat on top of the other. Special finishes were created and added to the arms and the lampholders to maintain the aesthetics of the restaurant. With the manufacturing process carefully monitored from start to finish the client was able to check the progress. Finally we arrived on site and installed all the fittings to the clients satisfaction. Find out how we can help your next project by contacting us.
Marriott St Regis Venice
We were approached by Sagrada to produce a bespoke floor light reminiscent of the 1950s. We undertook research to find which artisanal glass blowers had molds available to match the design intent. This was followed up with many sample pieces to ensure the colour requirement was being achieved together with the shape. Added to this was the creation of a bespoke shade to enhance the floor light .After many drawings and revisions the prototype was manufactured and following approval a roll out for all the bedrooms and suites took place. However within the 200 rooms there was a requirement for a bespoke triptych mirror in the bathroom. We matched the rooms exquisite sandblasted detailing to each side, with back lit led panels and anti fog glass. Finally we were required to produce a bespoke bedside pendant with a faceted design to the glass which replicated the detailing on the ceiling and drapes whilst casting a stunning shadow on the headboards. We rose to the challenge. Working with the designers and factories we are confident that each guestroom has the perfect ambience.
Buddah Bar London
We were delighted to work on this project. The interior designer gave us a very simple brief. Create 2 crystal dragons floor to ceiling on either side of the staircase. From that single sentence we started to work on this mammoth task. Firstly we had to draw up the dragons to show the clients both in CAD and in 3d render .Our design technicians needed to develop a programme which could take the dragon design and produce a layout of the cables and each single piece of crystals location on each cable. Developed at the same time was the floor and ceiling plates. Following initial approval of the design we recruited a structural engineer to guide us through the complexity of the fixing systems required as well as the steel support cable to be used bearing in mind they would need to be 6.5m in height. The complexity did not stop there , we then had to source in excess of 50000 special facetted crystal which could be drilled through so they could fit vertically onto the cables. Once the drawings had been approved and all the relevant materials sourced our factory had to expand to accommodate a production of over 7m in length as the cables needed to be kept taut so ensuring the exact location of each crystal to the mm. We recommended to the client that this sculptural design must be fitted by our team due to its complexity. Happily they agreed. Everything was then packed and shipped to Knightsbridge where 3 giant crates arrived safely. Our team then got to work on the painstaking task of fitting each set of strands into the floor and ceiling box , bearing in mind that fitters both at the top and bottom had to work with synchronicity to ensure no strands got tangled. After a week on site we all breathed a sigh of relief seeing the 2 beautiful dragons in their glory residing on either side of the staircase. The whole project from conception to completion only took 12 weeks to complete , which I am sure you will agree is a testament to Inspired by design capabilities of producing supersize bespoke lighting that truly enhance any location in the world.