Illuminating a Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse
Historically a part of the capital’s industrial heartland, Clerkenwell is now the hub of London’s Design District; a fitting location for the inventive and stylish renovation of Grade II-listed townhouse Infinity House, and for bespoke lighting expert Ecoled’s innovative designs.
The property has recently been renovated with a contemporary three-storey extension offsetting the traditional architecture. It has been beautifully transformed into an eclectic blend of old and new; the combination of the contemporary glazed extension and the building’s original aged façade is beautifully offset by natural light and complemented by Ecoled’s stunning lighting design.
The piece de résistance of this exceptional home is the glazed ceiling in the newly-extended kitchen and dining area, which floods the room below with natural light and creates a platform for the elevated courtyard garden above – from which views of St Pauls and The Shard can be enjoyed. The panels of glass are punctuated by Ecoled’s DECO-LINE strip light range, made up of ultra-slim veins of LED light. The design complements the modern cabinetry and glass flooring in the kitchen, as well as underlining each tread of the cantilevered oak staircase.
Ecoled’s elegant Ledy table light pendants, suspended above the kitchen counter, also reflect the linear design that underpins the interiors, giving the illusion that delicate streaks of light are hovering mid-air. Miniature uplighters in the floor ensure that the heritage of Infinity House isn’t forgotten, throwing splashes of light onto the wall and drawing attention to the exposed sandstone brickwork of the original building.
James Cadisch, director at Ecoled, comments: “The lighting at Infinity House works to accentuate the shape of the property. The lighting is layered, which means that different lights in the same space are controlled separately. This allows the user to dim some lights, whilst others remain bright. The layering means that the atmosphere of the space can be altered according to requirements, and is reflective of the resident’s desired mood.
“The colour of the lighting is consistent throughout, a feature that is integral to the design and provides a minimalist effect that complements and reflects the contemporary architecture of Infinity House’s extension. The lighting design has added a fourth dimension to the architectural form, but without overpowering the classic features of the Georgian building to which the extension is attached. The result is an inviting and atmospheric feel.”
Dave Ellis, Spaced Out Architects, comments: “The house delivers a blend of traditional Georgian architecture and a highly contemporary extension. The original architecture has been lovingly restored to its former glory, and there’s no need to choose between the traditional and the contemporary.”
(Products used: Ecoled’s S10 Deco-Strip and Deco-Line 15s, Ecoled’s Zep1 downlights and Zep 3 uplights.)
To view other ecoled projects or for more information on its products and services visit ecoledlight.co.uk