海角视频

English National Ballet

London City Island, UK

In an unprecedented move, the English National Ballet and its associated training institution, the English National Ballet School have been rehoused in a shared facility designed to support teaching, training and rehearsals in the centre of Ballymore鈥檚 London City Island in East London.

The Island is a major redevelopment project by architect Glenn Howells that that has provided 1,706 homes for a previously deprived area. The English National Ballet building is at the heart of this new neighbourhood, bringing together residential and various arts and cultural facilities to create a new creative hub in East London.

The facility includes eight large studio spaces and public spaces on the ground floor to encourage engagement with the local community. It also features a translucent facade which allows the creative process to be shared with the public, inside and outside the building.

At 93,000 square feet, the new facility is four times the size of the English National Ballet鈥檚 current buildings

The development includes a hydrotherapy pool, gym and a pilates studio for the dancers鈥� wellbeing, and a music room for the English National Ballet Philharmonic

The English National Ballet performers dance for an average of 2,032 hours a year

Challenge

Sold on the idea of a glowing white building, the developer set 海角视频 the challenge of achieving a lantern like appearance. With the majority of Glenn Howells鈥� architectural design already in place, sections of facade had limited available space for luminaires, meaning our team had to be flexible in their approach and work closely with the architect to create a lighting system for the existing facade design.

Solution

The lighting team embraced this challenge, aiming to achieve a gemlike presence in the darkness, whilst respecting the surroundings. Guiding the client and developer on best practice and practical solutions, a comprehensive but simple integrated system of lighting was developed. Physical mock-ups were carried out to test luminaire specifications and the practicality of a specially designed mechanical track and rail system, created to facilitate the installation of luminaires within hard to access areas.

The facade lighting uses a linear LED luminaire which was adapted with specific optics and output to meet the requirements of the design. This simple and adaptable scheme allowed one manufacturer to supply for the majority of the facade, simplifying procurement and installation. The team expanded the design to incorporate additional lighting elements in the entrance canopy and ground floor perimeter, these combined create a welcoming threshold light that connects with the landscape.

Value

The new building significantly expands the ballet鈥檚 current accommodation, providing a sleek and eye-catching design. Translucent walls, large windows and soft, glowing lighting are design features that open up the building 鈥� and the ballet 鈥� to the wider community, bringing the high art of ballet to London City Island.