Dernier & Hamlyn develops homegrown LED solution for new British brasserie

The recently opened Holborn Dining Room at Rosewood London offers a menu of British classics with a twist. Its lighting, which was manufactured by Dernier & Hamlyn, complements this philosophy with six eye catching blackened steel oval chandeliers, some 7m long. However their simple lines are not only a discreet hiding place for the emergency lighting that has been fitted to the light fittings’ cross section bars, they are also housing 500 120mm LED globe lamps custom made to meet the exacting aesthetic and energy usage brief from the restaurant’s designers Martin Brudnizki Design Studio.

Due to the size of the chandeliers they each have a sub frame adding to the complexity of the manufacturing process which required mixed construction methods incorporating both laser cutting and making sections by hand.

Despite a global search Dernier & Hamlyn and MBDS could not source LED lamps that met the specified criteria for quality, light colour and visual appearance that was required. So working with Midlands based Heritage Lighting, which specialises in LED solutions for heritage buildings, they commissioned bespoke lamps that achieved all of MBDS’ and Rosewood London’s requirements.

Dernier & Hamlyn’s joint managing director Jeremy Quantrill says:
“Whilst having the LED lamps custom made produced the optimum solution for Holborn Dining’s lighting it was quite a lengthy process. But it was well worth the effort and the overall effect is not only visually brilliant but it achieves the longevity and energy saving specifications too.”

Iain McIntosh, Heritage Lighting’s director adds:
“This was a challenging project that was ultimately extremely satisfying and knowing that it was made possible by British companies that are leaders in their respective fields makes it even more fulfilling.”

Rosewood London opened late last year marking the first European presence for this ultra-luxury hotel group. Located in Holborn, where the bustling areas of City and West End meet, the hotel is the result of a sensitive transformation of the 1914 Edwardian Belle Epoque building that was previously known as Chancery Court.

The original building was designed by H. Percy Monckton and construction began in 1912. The first part was completed in 1914, and it was expanded upon in four stages over nearly 50 years, during which time it was the headquarters for the Pearl Assurance Company. The subsequent transformation of this historic building from Imperial-era offices into a London luxury hotel was carried out under the guidance of English Heritage, which lists the principal facades, as well as the interiors of the former East and West Banking Halls (now Holborn Dining Room and the Bar, respectively) and the Grand Staircase as the hotel’s significant heritage features.

The guiding philosophy of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is to design each property so that it reflects its location’s history, culture and sensibilities. At Rosewood London this meant that when it came to interior design and lighting for the most prominent public areas, the bar and restaurant at the front of the hotel, it was essential to select a company that would be sensitive to the building’s history and culture as well as its technical requirements.

For further information visit Dernier & Hamlyn and also Heritage Lighting.