Sophie Paterson Interiors, renowned for its timeless, luxurious, and elegant designs, recently unveiled a new design for their offices. We were bought in to create a lighting design which complements their aesthetic and enhances functionality, whilst also improving the working environment for their design team. Here Lighting Designer Tino D’Agate outlines key features of the new office lighting design which he designed with Senior Designer, Hazel Park.
The Sample Library is an essential part of Sophie Paterson Interiors, where designers review textiles and materials for upcoming projects. The lighting in this space had to balance accurate colour representation with comfort and functionality. Contour HD27 was used to uplight the perimeter of the pitched ceiling and central column to accentuate these prominent structural features, giving a sense of a lifted ceiling and to reflect light back into the space for ambience.
Contour LED strip lights have been seamlessly integrated into joinery units throughout the rest of the office too; including shelves, storage cabinets, and kitchenettes. These lights enhance the aesthetic appeal of the joinery while providing practical illumination for shelving and storage. The subtle, warm accent lighting creates a welcoming atmosphere, adding a touch of sophistication to the meeting rooms and office space
The Vorsa 40 Track has been suspended over the workbenches in the Sample Library to provide a practical overhead light. The suspended track was selected specifically to keep the lighting discrete, with a contemporary aesthetic in this space while also keeping the pitched ceiling clean of any fittings. You can also see how the Vorsa 40 over the long table has been directed to illuminate the Sophie Patterson Interiors sign. The lighting supplied was chosen with a high CRI rating (90+), ensuring that colours are represented accurately, which is crucial when evaluating fabrics and materials.
In a similar way, the Polespring 40 has been implemented throughout the ground floor office space for task lighting. The worktop lighting was designed to enhance productivity while maintaining the design studio’s clean and minimalist aesthetic. They provide a practical overhead light and are supported by table lamps and reading lights for localised, focused illumination that reduces eye strain and supports precision work. The directional aspect of the Polespring 40 enables it to be tilted onto wall hung artwork.
To accent the office spaces, the Lucca 30 was recessed into the window reveals to frame these architectural features and introducing a lower level of light to the space.
An application for the Polescade 50 was to light the front of closed joinery units. The fitting washes the front of the unit with light, illuminating the fabric covered doors and internal once opened. This reflected light, directed behind the desk, helps brighten the independent office rooms.
A sophisticated lighting control system was specified and integrated throughout the office and plays a crucial part to the office’s functionality. The system allows for lighting adjustments in individual rooms, including the Sample Library, meeting rooms, and the main office studio. This feature allows staff to customise the lighting to fit their specific tasks or preferences, improving productivity and comfort. Different areas of the office can be illuminated at different intensities, tailored to the specific needs of that space. This is particularly useful in the design studio, where certain tasks require more focused lighting, while other areas can benefit from softer, ambient light. The system is designed to maximise efficiency, user comfort, and create energy savings.
In conclusion, the office lighting design for Sophie Paterson Interiors seamlessly blends aesthetics and functionality, enhancing both the workspace environment and the visual appeal of the office. From the practical task lighting in the Sample Library to the subtle accent lighting in the joinery and meeting rooms, every element is thoughtfully curated to support the team’s creative processes. The integration of high-CRI lighting ensures accurate colour evaluation, while the flexible control system allows for tailored lighting solutions across various office areas. This lighting scheme not only complements the timeless and elegant design ethos of Sophie Paterson Interiors but also contributes to a more efficient and comfortable working environment.