THE GATEHOUSE
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ELEMENTAL
Types of lighting in the Project
Pendant Lights Also referred to as drop or suspending light, pendant lights are lights that hang from the ceiling by a cord, chain or rod. These lights are often hung in multiples and are great for hanging over tables and bars. A major benefit of pendant lights is its ability to be used as general/ambient lighting or accent lighting. Chandeliers Chandeliers typically create feelings of elegance and sophistication; great for high-end restaurants and upper-class bars. Chandeliers use multiple bulbs, so depending on the size, they can be used for accent or general, ambient lighting. Wall Lights Wall lights are ideal for businesses that want to create a bright and larger feeling atmosphere. These kinds of lighting fixtures add overhead lighting and provide the main source of light for spaces. Track Lighting Track lighting is a lighting fixture where smaller light fixtures or bulbs are attached on a long track that then attaches to the ceiling. Track lighting highlights an area’s best features, acting as a form of accent lighting. These are excellent for restaurants, bars, and breweries because their position can be changed throughout the day as well. LED Lighting LED lighting can go anywhere and is extremely energy and cost-efficient. LED bulbs last 80% longer than other bulbs, so they have to be replaced less, making them a great choice for a business that frequently has people in it. LED bulbs are also brighter so it will be ideal for restaurants, bars, and breweries that are open from the morning into the night. Recessed Lighting Recessed lighting is a type of lighting fixture that is installed in a hollow opening in the ceiling and illuminates entire rooms. A major benefit of a recessed lighting fixture is that essentially any sort of bulb can be used in it; the most popular choice for restaurants, bars and breweries is LED recessed lighting. Utility Lighting Utility lighting is a lighting fixture that aims to create and distribute light efficiently to large areas. This form of lighting is good for a business that has a large outdoor area or for a business that is in a darker location.
The Gatehouse - Brecon
This project was set by the interior design firm Elemental 2. We were given an existing building designed by the organiser of this competition (Lee Stamps) and told to redesign the interior to better suit the area of Brecon and to consider Covid-19 precautions making the environment safe to socialise in with social distance in mind. This grade II listed property is described in the Houses of Breconshire as ‘a former house … built towards the end of the 17th century’, adding that the ‘front was remodelled in early Victorian times’. It is not recorded as one of the town’s inns in the earliest commercial directory (1791) nor that of 1829, but is on the 1834 town plan and in the 1835 directory. In the 1860s, the Brecon Recorder still uses ‘George Inn’, yet it’s marked as ‘George Hotel’ on the 1888 town plan.
I wanted lighting to be heavily considered during this project, ensuring that as much natural lighting could enter the space and not make the place feel cramped and unpleasant with barriers placed everywhere for social distancing.
For material and colour choices, mainly natural options were chosen, such as espresso oak flooring, Beige porcelain slabs for outdoor areas, Stone walls that nod to the buildings heritage and to the local Brecon Castle and blue and cream coloured walls to match the near Usk and Honddu rivers.
Some of the building has changed much form the original design, with just different furniture and colour choices to better suit my overall design, however other areas have had drastic upgrades, with interior walls being changed and rooms being openned up to allow more lighting into the space.
Most rooms on the ground floor were allowed to be altered except fot the kitchen area which was off limits and the stairs which were listed and could not be altered or removed. All dining areas, extensions, bedrooms, beer gardens and the bar area has all been changed to better suit my design.
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I have also included local materials and contacted local suppliers who could create the space. These suppliers include B.Jenkins builder and timber merchants and HL Interiors.
