International lighting design practice Nulty has created a lighting scheme for Bromley Old Town Hall, part of a major regeneration project to restore the architectural and cultural significance of the historic site. Nulty’s design response supports the wider goals set by architecture practice Cartwright Pickard and interior design studio Fusion Interiors Group, to reclaim the heritage of the Grade II-Listed building and breathe life into the new flexible co-working space and all-day dining restaurant. The lighting scheme balances the need for contemporary solutions and a sensitive design narrative that prioritises reuse.
The workplace strand of the newly refurbished building is home to Clockwise Bromley, who have curated a versatile proposition that includes dedicated desk options, private offices, meeting rooms, and a shared club lounge. Clockwise’s footprint spans some of the more historic areas of the building and extends down into the previously underutilised basement.
The juxtaposition of old and new plays out from the moment that members access the reception area, where suspended glass pendants have been used to create a focal point above the desk and seating area. The composition forms a welcoming path of light, which pulls guests through to the more architecturally significant elements of the scheme where the traditional lighting language begins.
Across the main circulation areas, original decorative fittings were reinstated or replicated to complement period features such as vaulted domed ceilings, cornices, and archways. The team reviewed archive photographs of the 1906 and 1939 sections of the building, then refurbished and reintroduced traditional light fittings where possible to honour the original aspirations of the old town hall. In the building’s iconic central hall, artificial skylights were used to flood the space with light and pay reverence to the 1930s skylights that were removed when the floor above was extended. The backlit ceilings are inherently modern and provide dynamic white light that accurately reflects the colour temperature and intensity of external light levels.
The new flexible co-working space resonates the spirit of the local authority building, yet every attempt has been made to elevate the building’s performance to that of a contemporary workplace. LED technology was integrated in all the workspaces and meeting rooms to deliver the required quality of light for focused work, video conferencing, and face-to-face meetings. In the basement, now repurposed to form a new thread of the building, a dramatic circulation corridor come bike storage area creates a striking visual impression. To compensate for the lack of natural light in this space, linear profiles were positioned along the length of the corridor to reinforce the curve of the exposed concrete walls and improve permeability by leading occupants along a soft cadence of light.
In the shared club lounge, housed in the former council chambers, the lighting is unapologetically restrained to allow the large stained-glass windows, domed soffits, and columns to sing. Bowl pendants were reinstated and teamed with discreet uplights that highlight the rhythm of the architecture. Members are also able to make use of the new restaurant that takes up residence in the old courthouse. The lighting is equally disciplined within this space, so integrated perimeter lighting accentuates the wood panelled walls while uplights highlight the artwork and help to elevate the space. Decorative glass pendants were also reintroduced to honour the original design intent and are supplemented at a lower level by globe pendants that bring warmth and intimacy to the experience.
https://www.nultylighting.co.uk/project/bromley-old-town-hall/
Project Team
Architect: Cartwright Pickard
Interior Design: Fusion Interiors Group
Lighting Design: Nulty
Photography: James French