Located on Clerkenwell Road, London, Workshop Coffee is an independent venue designed with a raw, industrial aesthetic. To attract more customers and enhance the cafe’s atmosphere, Workshop Coffee appointed Paul Nulty Lighting Design (PNLD) to create a lighting scheme that would brighten up and complement the existing space whilst providing additional flexibility – turning the space from daytime cafe to romantic bistro in the evening.
In keeping with the interior design whilst working to a modest budget, PNLD predominantly used reclaimed light fittings to reinforce the industrial atmosphere – 25% of the original fixtures were re-used. A cluster of pendants is positioned over the ground floor counter, re-using pre-existing squirrel cage luminaires, which work well with daylight to provide balance and permeability.
Composition was important to the design team, particularly the contrast with daylight. PNLD sought to address this by using lighting fixtures with exposed lamps that are easily visible in daylight. In this instance, the luminaire was chosen for both functionality of light as well as to complement the interior environment’s raw aesthetic. It is this key design decision that ensures the space always feels open and bright – even with bright sunshine outside.
Delicate, salvaged filament lamps have been installed to contrast with the reclaimed feature pendants and to add warmth to the space. Features of the space – such as the coffee roaster and the living wall – are highlighted with spotlights. Shielded bespoke wall lights are used to emphasise the texture of the exposed brickwork throughout the ground floor, while the first floor employs Anglepoise wall luminaires to reinforce the workshop concept.
A feature wall of bulkhead lights has been installed inside the entrance. These, in combination with three large suspended pendants above the main table in the front window, attract the eye of passers-by. The scheme uses a control system to provide flexibility and save energy.
Paul Nulty, head of practice at PNLD, says: “Workshop Coffee was an exciting and challenging project. Working on a lighting scheme within a completely fixed interior design, which had to be easily transferable from day to night and meet a modest budget, meant we had to be savvy and efficient in our approach.
“We’re very happy with the results and excited with the transformation of the space. This lighting-only refurbishment demonstrates the important role that lighting plays in defining the atmosphere of a cafe or restaurant and making interior design concepts successful.”
