Grace Jones, Lily Allen and The Ting Tings are among the acts to have performed recently at Somerset House, which also hosts a wide variety of other event types, including presentations, product launches and film screenings.
The requirement for the lighting system to be low in environmental/aesthetic impact and power consumption prompted the decision to specify LED technology. Once appointed to work on the project, A.C. Special Projects approached Anolis to help achieve a scheme that blends custom and off-the-shelf products.
A total of 89 custom Anolis ArcLine Optic Outdoor 36 RGBA fixtures with 6×25 degree precision elliptical lenses are used to uplight the building fascias and backlight the columns of the site’s three balconies. In addition, 26 Anolis ArcSource Outdoor 36 RGBA units with 6 degree optics have been installed to cover the areas above the various doorways.
For the main Strand entrance to the courtyard, A.C. created bespoke lengths of IP-rated frosted tubing encasing Anolis ArcLink 4 strips. Anolis ArcSource Outdoor 36 Warm White with 15 degree optics – to highlight the courtyard statue and flagpole – round out the lighting scheme.
The Anolis fixtures are driven and DMX-controlled by over 50 Anolis ArcPower 72/K2 and ArcPower 36/SW drivers. Control comes from a Jands Vista PC system, triggered by an AMX panel located in the main building. A multitude of looks, colours and effects have been pre-programmed.
A.C. Special Projects’ managing director, Peter Keiderling, told II: “We are delighted to be involved in this prestigious project. Having previously worked with Patrick and Gwyn on lighting the V&A Museum’s John Madjeski Garden, it was a pleasure to work with them again on another venue with such stunning architecture. Other high-profile projects undertaken by A.C. Special Projects include lighting landmarks such as the top of the BT Tower, the exterior colour-changing lighting of the Portsmouth Spinnaker Tower, the interior of Romsey Abbey, the restaurant and atrium lighting of the Park Plaza County Hotel in London, and supplying various lighting equipment for the British Music Experience at the O2.”
“It was an amazing project to have been involved with,” Anolis’ UK sales manager, Scott Callis, told II. “A.C. Special Projects did an absolutely first class job in installing and programming the system, and their expertise is second to none. For me personally and for Anolis, I think this was our highest profile installation to date in the UK, and hopefully it will be a springboard to the possibility of other exciting projects.”
