workspace lighting
A
s modern workspace design continues to evolve, there
Fidelity International features a blend of office floors, which house a
welcoming environments in which employee wellbeing
collaborative and private working zones, and four storeys that
has been a gradual shift towards creating more holistic,
colourful mix of relaxed and formal working areas including
is paramount. Through the introduction of cosy breakout
include client-facing meeting rooms, lounges and two media studios
spaces, private working areas, soft furnishings and warmer colour
for the company’s video and audio broadcast. Nulty’s final design
staid uniformity of the past for something altogether more inviting.
lighting needs of the workplace with Fidelity’s overall vision for the
headquarters on Cannon Street in London, where Nulty has recently
Gillam explained: “The initial brief for the lighting called for a very
partnership with Fidelity, alongside architects AEDAS and
client-facing areas and the working floors. Colour psychology played
solution centred around employee wellbeing for the global
received broke down the relationship between different material
“From the outset, the intention behind the project was to improve
of the interiors, the lighting had to play a role in celebrating the
for its employees,” Kael Gillam, Senior Lighting Designer at Nulty
disconnected from space to space.”
surfaces on which to display their art collection: these were just some
therapy insight and employee surveys, to guide the lighting design.
and activity.
International from other workspace projects that Nulty has worked
daylight ingress and one of our key roles was to supplement the light
space was a response to the rationale that informed that particular
balance. We also strongly believed in the design of the quiet rooms
of the office needed to be really honed in on to make the day-to-day
often be a hectic day for employees.
While catering to the multi-faceted design narrative sought after in
space had its own identity, and in doing so give employees a variety
recurring motif of linear lighting runs throughout the building,
or relax.”
rooms. Nulty commissioned a bespoke light-insert from LTS,
temperatures, more and more offices are stepping away from the
solution was rational in its response, circumnavigating the practical
This approach is evident at Fidelity International’s new UK
day-to-day wellbeing of its employees.
completed a WELL certified lighting scheme. Working in close
multi-faceted design narrative, with a strict distinction between the
engineering consultants Hilson Moran, Nulty has designed a lighting
a big role in the design of the space; a lot of the early reports that we
investment company’s 108,000sqft office space.
palettes and people’s traits and behaviours. Because of the richness
the client’s current workspace and create a comfortable environment
different finishes and treatments, while not appearing too
explained. “Increased light, higher ceilings, better technology, more
From the outset, Nulty worked with lots of research, such as colour
of the elements that spoke of a desire to increase employee wellbeing
This approach is something that Gillam feels differentiates Fidelity
“The design of the working floors was conceived to maximise
on. “The colour research and how we approached each different
levels in the deeper plan areas to give the overall scheme a sense of
material palette, and the employee surveys guided us as to what parts
and the café, encouraging use of these spaces for respite in what can
experience simpler and more enjoyable,” she explained.
“Our goal was to make sure that the lighting design within each
the initial brief, Nulty kept its design intent relatively simple – a
of different options depending on whether they are looking to work
connecting the main reception, open plan working areas and meeting
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