<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" width="200" height="26" id="image" align="middle">
<param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" />
<param name="movie" value="../../header.swf?strapline=Hotel Verta" />
<param name="quality" value="high" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" />
<embed src="../../header.swf?strapline=Hotel Verta" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="200" height="26" name="menu" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" />
</object>
Situated on the River Thames at Battersea, South London, Hotel Verta, part of the Metropolitan Set from von Essen hotels, is the only hotel in Europe adjoined to a heliport and offers a unique hotel experience to leisure and business guests coming to London. The design of the hotel has elevated it to South London's best hotel.
Light Bureau was commissioned by von Essen hotels to deliver a comprehensive architectural lighting design solution for the exterior and interior spaces, subtly integrated into the building, ensuring the visual emphasis remains focused on the high-quality finishes and artifacts.
The architectural lighting throughout the hotel is deliberately designed to enhance the guest experience whilst remaining subordinate to the interior design. Light Bureau achieved this without compromising the strict corporate social responsibility strategy employed by von Essen hotels for their first turnkey new build project; the lighting has a minimal carbon footprint, exceeding current UK energy legislation (Part L).
The combination of daylight design and sensing, energy efficient artificial lighting and lighting controls proved fundamental in achieving sustainable design within the building. As an added benefit, savings in lighting consumption directly reduces electrical load and room temperature gains, therefore having a favorable effect on summertime cooling loads and temperatures.
There are 70 guestrooms including 6 suites within the hotel. Hotel guestrooms are furnished with original artwork and bespoke furniture. Light Bureau enhanced the quality of materials by utilizing sensitive architectural lighting. Downlighting, cove lighting, ambient lighting from floor and table luminaires, lighting integrated within wardrobes, bathroom mirrors, wall lights, and so on, add multiple layers to the space, where the dark / light concept of finishes was also applied.
Bar Verta and lounge on the mezzanine level is a glamorous, contemporary bar. The gold and black marble and striking lighting create a destination bar on the south bank of the Thames that is perfect for socializing.
Located below ground, Spa Verta is a place where hotel guests can temporarily escape from the hectic world above. With no daylight penetration artificial lighting plays a key role in creating a convivial ambience, setting the tone for the guest experience.
The main issue facing Light Bureau was how to handle the transition between the open, spacious upper levels of the Hotel and the small, enclosed basement with lower ceilings and a lack of daylight penetration, to ensure that this space doesn't appear cramped. Light Bureau achieved this by creating a hierarchy of illuminance levels. This graduates the lighting intensity as a guest moves through the spa. The lighting is also dynamic, responding to the time of day and natural light levels.
Client & Photographic credits: von Essen Hotels