Grade II Listed Office Refurbishment, London

The Brief

This refurbishment transformed a Grade II listed office building in central London, delivering a contemporary workplace while respecting the architectural significance and historic fabric of the existing structure. As Lead Lighting Designer, I was responsible for the lighting design from RIBA Stage 2 through to project completion. My role included developing the lighting concept and technical design, leading client and stakeholder engagement, coordinating with the wider design team, and providing site support throughout construction, including commissioning and snagging activities to ensure the design intent was successfully realised. The project presented several technical challenges. As an existing listed building, opportunities to conceal lighting services were limited due to the absence of ceiling voids and restrictions on interventions to the historic fabric. The lighting design therefore required careful integration of luminaires and associated infrastructure to minimise visual impact while maintaining flexibility and performance. A further key consideration was the demographic profile of the building occupants, with a significant proportion of users aged 65 and above. The lighting strategy was developed to support a range of visual needs through the provision of appropriate illumination levels, excellent visual comfort, controlled glare, and balanced luminance throughout the workplace. The result is a lighting scheme that enhances occupant wellbeing and usability while complementing the character of the listed building.