The Grand Brighton Hotel was designed by John Whichcord Jr., an English architect who was also responsible for several commercial premises in London. Built in 1864, the Victoria seafront venue was built on land previously occupied by a battery house.
Originally aimed at attracting upper class guests visiting Brighton and Hove, to this day the sumptuous Renaissance style four-star hotel remains one of the priciest in the region.
A key forward-thinking and innovative feature of the hotel’s interior was the inclusion of a ‘vertical omnibus’, a hydraulic lift powered by cisterns located in the roof space. It was the first of its type built outside of London, at a time when only two others had been installed in the United Kingdom.
The Grand Hotel has since become an iconic landmark on Brighton’s seafront. It is renowned for being the dreadful scene of the infamous IRA bombing in 1984, which had targeted then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher during a Conservative Party conference.
Bearing many Italian influences, the building’s detailing includes decorative wrought iron balustrading and ornate masonry elements to the window balconies and upper castellated structures.
Investment in the restoration and enhancement of the hotel’s frontage came as part of a wider programme of modernisation along Kings Road, which aims to create a unique heritage seafront that blends old with new.
In conjunction with manufacturer Anolis UK, LTP Integration won the contract to design and deliver a lavish exterior architectural lighting scheme for the façade of one of Brighton’s most famous hotels.
Our team was commissioned directly by the hotel’s owners, further to significant investment to renovate the building’s fabric.
To showcase this restoration work, LTP Integration was tasked with installing a striking, contemporary LED-based RGBW lighting solution that would accentuate the impressive architectural features.
The products specified and incorporated also needed to comply with strict cultural heritage guidelines for such listed buildings, as per Brighton and Hove City Council’s Conservation Strategy.
Having previously completed several successful projects, LTP Integration and Anolis UK were again able to collaborate efficiently and effectively to deliver a suitable solution for the Grand Hotel.
The team had to specify a product that would withstand the inherent environmental conditions caused by the seafront location, where strong winds and saltwater spray are commonplace, while producing the required performance.
Therefore, to suit this application contemporary RGBW high output, energy efficient ArcPad™ Xtreme luminaires were selected for their durability and reliability in such hostile marine settings.
Offering output of almost 30,000 lumens, these IP67 rated fixtures feature two independently controlled LED modules. The upper module has a narrow optic and the lower a medium. This configuration provides the optimum dispersion for maximum coverage of large buildings and façades.
Due to the hotel’s status as a listed building, conventional methods of installing the control cabling infrastructure were not an option due to constraints with cable routes and the inability to carry out any external groundworks. To address this, the luminaires were specified with state-of-the-art on-board wireless data receiving facilities.
A LumenRadio DMX/RDM Wireless transmitter carries communication between the lighting controller and luminaires. This system is managed via an intuitive Pharos lighting control system located deep within the hotel, with the outstation providing a user-friendly interface that designated staff can operate.
To satisfy the operational conditions set by the local authority during the planning permission application, the system was pre-programmed with a series of 12 coloured scenes that are automatically triggered for specific events during the calendar year.
The system also offers staff access to a manual facility, where specific colours can be created in support of future events that may warrant this. The default condition for the lighting has been set to warm white, which best complements and showcases the impressive architecture of the building.
LTP Integration and Anolis UK successfully provided the Grand Hotel with a contemporary, energy-efficient lighting scheme that has proven longevity and performance that will illuminate the striking features of this iconic building.
This new lighting scheme is maintenance free, therefore eliminating the requirement to replace lamps annually. Furthermore, the system is fully automated for the client’s convenience, while offering full dimming and colour control facilities.
The exterior architectural lighting strategy now effectively showcases the splendour of the venue’s unique structural features, providing a bold statement during the evenings on Brighton’s seafront.
“We are delighted with the performance of the new energy-efficient lighting scheme – it enhances the features of the façade wonderfully.” – Chris McKendrick, Property Manager (Grand Hotel)
For further information on the products and services used in this installation at Brighton’s Grand Hotel, or to discuss a similar exterior architectural lighting scheme, please get in touch today.
Contact us on +44 (0)1554 740500 or click on Discuss Your Project and let us know your requirements.
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