08/09 | FOCAL POINT | EDEN, NEW BAILEY
FOCAL POINT
EDEN, NEW BAILEY SALFORD, UK
SpaceInvader has created a stunning social hub on the
to passers-by. I immediately thought of a huge-scale
ground and mezzanine floors of Eden, New Bailey - a
sculptural piece that would be really impactful. I loved
newly-completed £36m office building in Salford, now
the idea of a parent taking kids to school and stopping
one of the UK’s most environmentally-friendly buildings.
and wondering at something that was both beautiful
Manchester-based
and intriguing.
designers
SpaceInvader
were
determined to use the practice’s extensive knowledge
“The aim was for a very layered installation that would
of designing sustainably to help push boundaries and
be functional, sculptural and sustainable all at the same
create a scheme that would sit in harmony with the
time. Initial inspiration came from an image of black
building’s many eco-friendly achievements.
carbon rods I came across while researching. I brought
The lighting design for the scheme needed to help
Paul Shoosmith of Light Forms on board right at the
create a variety of zones with different moods for task-
start for his technical expertise, to explore how this idea
oriented work or relaxation. Lighting is also a major
could be made real.
feature of the ground floor sculptural installation and
“We investigated materials that could absorb carbon,
was developed, as with the amenity lighting scheme
but came to a dead end, so thought of incorporating
throughout, with Paul Shoosmith of Light Forms. To
planting too, so that the installation nonetheless
enhance the scheme’s human-centric experience
performed that absorption function. We still needed
further, the majority of the light fixtures have tuneable
a material that could carry light and would work easily
white LEDs, allowing the colour temperature of the
on a circadian cycle. Timber was a first route, but
space to change to suit the environment and reflect
alternatives included recycled cardboard tubes, which
natural circadian rhythms. All architectural fixtures are
sounded great, though they had to be tested for a very
also DALI dimmable, enabling complete control of the
long time with a light on constantly to ensure they could
light output and energy consumption throughout the
withstand the heat transfer of an LED fitting!
space.
“The third party who really made it all possible was
“The thinking behind Eden, New Bailey was all about
our joinery contractor, Careys, who needed to create
finding new and creative ways to deliver tangible
the structural frame to hold the sculpture and cut all
sustainability and inclusivity – and to really walk the
the tubes to the required length. We couldn’t be more
walk in the interiors too, responding to the building’s
pleased with the result – a sculptural showstopper,
net zero operational carbon levels, which make it one
with great sustainable credentials, human-centric
of the UK’s most environmentally-friendly buildings,
circadian rhythm settings, and which responds in form
and which boasts an exterior featuring Europe’s largest
and function to carbon, the basic building block of life,
living green wall,” explains John Williams, Founder,
which we all need to respect, understand – and handle
SpaceInvader.
responsibly!”
“When we were asked to look at the ground floor
www.spaceinvaderdesign.co.uk
amenity space, we knew it would be completely visible
www.lightforms.com