Somerset House - Illuminating Classical British Elegance
The historic Somerset House date back to 1547, when Edward Seymour, Lord Protector and Duke of Somerset began the palace’s construction on the banks of the Thames. In 1775, after two centuries of use as a royal residence and meeting place, the original building was demolished and Sir William Chambers was appointed to work on its replacement.
Since in the late 18th century, the current Somerset House has been a hub for art, culture, and government. Notable past tenants includes the likes of The Royal Academy of Arts, The Royal Society, The Admiralty and HM Revenue & Customs .
In 1997, The Somerset House Trust was established to preserve and manage the building, and to develop the site for public use. Today, the Somerset House hosts the UK’s largest creative community, with works in art, technology, businesses and social enterprises. It is also a buzzing spot for exhibitions, events and concerts, being one of the main venue of the London Fashion Week.
With its striking elegance and grand courtyards, this neoclassical gem is an embodiment of London’s rich heritage and flair.
In collaboration with design consultancy Atelier Ten , HIGHLIGHTER®, STR9® and FL™ luminaries were specified for this illumination project. In total, GVA shipped:
- 113 linear meters (371 linear feet) of HIGHLIGHTER® GEN4 COLOR CHANGING in custom COVE-OUTDOOR configuration
- 85 linear meters (280 linear feet) of custom STR9® GEN3 COLOR CHANGING Luminaires
- 64 FL™ GEN2 COLOR CHANGING INNER MIXING Luminaires
- 27 kW centralized INFINITY® Power Supply System
By utilizing existing mounting solutions and staying true to the original lighting scheme, this project showcases how seamless technological integration for historical buildings is possible. Additionally, the number of luminaires and power consumption have been significantly reduced thanks to efficient LEDs and the latest innovations in lighting.
The color consistency is maintained beautifully across three different product families, as shown in video clips taken during concerts.
GVA’s preparatory technologies COLOR-STREAM, COLOR-AMP and INFINITY have performed well on the Somerset House stage. By offering liquid-smooth dimming and transition effects, superior efficiency, and exceptionally long lighting runs, it breathes new life into this architectural masterpiece.
Client : The Somerset House Trust
Architect: Sir William Chambers
Lighting Designer: Atelier Ten
Electrical Contractor: CES
