Fera at Claridge’s

For the double-height space of Claridge’s new Fera Restaurant, Lighting Design International required discreet luminaires that could pinspot tables from elevation without intruding on the Art Deco glamor of the restaurant’s newly-designed interiors. Remote Controlled Lighting (RCL) provided this solution with 36 multi-directional recessed DR7 luminaires.

Working with interior designer Guy Oliver, Lighting Design International was requested to provide the lighting scenario for the new restaurant, following successful schemes at the French Salon, Drawing Room and Ball Room of the five-star hotel.

Katerina Chanioti, Senior Designer at LDI explained the design concept:

“Our task was to create an elegant, young and fresh restaurant that reinforced the aesthetic developed by Guy Oliver, the principal at Oliver Laws Ltd.

“The lighting scenario sought to celebrate the Art-Deco styling in new and exciting ways. The latest lighting technology was concealed seamlessly into the interior details, ensuring a graceful appearance while maintaining visual impact with a lighting scheme that could subtly change throughout the day.”

Unobtrusive appeal of DR7 recessed luminaires are concealed for discreet table pin spotting

Evidence of this intelligent and sympathetic concealment of lighting included the disguising of the recessed DR7 fixtures behind what was designed to appear as dark ventilation grilles. Finished in black, and hidden behind these decorative elements, the luminaires provide a discreet solution for LDI’s scheme.

While the DR7s offer up to ±35° tilt without beam interference, no visible elements protrude beneath the ceiling line, allowing them to be installed without intruding on Fera’s design scheme.

The luminaires, which can be rotated through both the pan and tilt axis from floor level with the use of a handheld remote controller, were incorporated into the scenario so that each and every table within the restaurant could be lit using the DR7s.

As Katerina continued:

“Our carefully considered pin spotting with the DR7s results in a warm, intimate setting that strengthens the sophisticated appeal of the restaurant.”

Combination of sumptuous interiors and intelligent lighting results in award nominations

The complete lighting scenario complements Guy Oliver’s interiors to create a unique visual approach that echoes the architectural heritage of Claridge’s while being refreshingly contemporary.

It is no surprise that both the interior and lighting design have been applauded; Oliver’s exquisite design combined with LDI’s lighting scheme was celebrated at the Restaurant and Bar Design Awards, where the project was shortlisted for the Lighting Scheme award, while Fera won the 2015 Lux Award for the Hospitality and Leisure Lighting Project of the year.

The design scheme was also winner of the Lighting Design Award for Hotels and Restaurant Project of the Year, and Fera was shortlisted for the Best Restaurant in a Hotel category at the Hotels and Property Awards.

Photography: Derry Moore