Lighting in Design Q2 2018

and balanced to achieve a sense of infinity, whilst maintaining the sense of intimacy within the space. In terms of natural light, Pietersen says, “The full height shopfront of the store lets in a large amount of daylight during the day, although the orientation of the store faces South-West, which tends to be more forgiving. Because all Exclusive Books stores respond to their locations, therewas a conscious de- cision to allowdaylight to supplement artificial lighting during the day, and the lighting levels at the transition area were increased to compensate for this”. Because of the large shopfront, lighting levels towards the back section of the store – which receives less natural daylight – were increased. Lighting around the children’s area at the back of the store was increased to ensure this area remains a focal point within the space. “The strong perimeter lighting throughout the store helps to maintain the general ambience and functional lighting levels. In all instances, the decorative lighting is supported by architectural lighting to lift lighting levels without relying solely on the decorative elements to provide the required task lighting,” Pietersen says. Dakota Design says the goal with this store was to create an environment that stimulates and challenges all the human senses, fostering differ- ent emotions and encouraging engagement by all who visit it.This sentiment was rewarded when the store received the 2017 Retail Design and Develop- ment Award (RDDA) for best Retail Store Design within a shopping centre in South Africa. “Careful and sensitive application of light will always be integral to the success of a space that requires artificial lighting,” says Pietersen, looking back at the award-winning project. “The lighting plan was carefully considered and coordinated with the client and the design team and the client always had a hands-on approach to the interiors and a clear vision of how it wanted to position its brand and the experience it provided to its patrons. This client involvement and dedication to the process is clearly visible in the end result; a layered lighting scheme with a great deal of detail and depth. It was this continued engagement and dialogue within the professional team that saw the store winning the RDDA award.”

lighting pendants – from a CapeTown-based lighting range – have been painted to match interior ele- ments, and lamped suitably to provide the required functionality to the children’s area towards the back of the space, as well as over the sales counter. A bespoke glass blower was commissioned by the interiors team for the glass spheres over the main coffee counter to provide a textured and crafted element, welcoming patrons to the store. Lastly, a world-renowned British-based company supplied the Anglepoise reading lights in a soft powder blue, at the central history table space, allowing for a tactile interaction with the lighting elements. Signage and integrated lighting The main graphic bulkhead within the space has been up-lit with a custom suspended linear channel to highlight the printed graphic face.This becomes a strong visual element within the space that draws the eye towards the children’s section at the back of the space. It adds a playful element which also lowers and defines the overall volume within the store. The Exclusive Books ‘E’ is rear-illuminated at the point of sale to provide the same textuality. “Warm White (<3000 Kelvin) was a common lighting palette from the outset of the design de- velopment to provide a warm and comfortable at- mosphere to the retail experience,” says Pietersen, noting that warmer light relies strongly on accent and variation to avoid a fat and one-dimensional space. The overall soffit height at the Exclusive Books Ballito store is very high and the heights of the perimeter (mirror) bulkhead, graphic bulkheads and the linear lighting layout, all had to be factored

PROJECTTEAM CLIENT: Exclusive Books ARCHITECTS/INTERIOR DESIGNERS: Dakota Design: www.dakotadesign.co.za ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR: Trossco Electrical: www.trossco.co.za LIGHTING DESIGN & SUPPLY: Darkroom Lighting Projects: www.dark-room.co.za HAND-BLOWN GLASS PENDANTS: Red Hot Glass: www.redhotglass.co.za TIMBER DECORATIVE LIGHTING: Minima: www.minima.co.za ANGLEPOISE READING LAMPS: www.anglepoise.com BESPOKE STEELWORK & FABRICATION: www.bluesteelprojects.co.za

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LiD Q2 - 2018