Giles Quarme Architects
Photo Credit: James Newton

Harrow School Gets Enlightened with a Sustainable Lighting Revamp

This speech room is a multi-functional space. It is used for community meetings, lectures, debates, theatrical performances, projecting films, and music performances ranging from a solo piano to an orchestra and choir. It is a unique historic Grade II listed building.

While the previous lighting created huge amounts of glare, flattened the architecture, and was hard to control, the new scheme is flexible and easy to control. It can light the room for any size or type of activity and show the amazing ceiling’s 3D shapes.

Giles Quarme Architects
Photo Credit: James Newton

This project, awarded at the prestigious LIT Lighting Design Awards, exemplifies sustainable innovation. All lighting is dimmable and set to a maximum of 95% brightness, extending the lifespan of fixtures. Thoughtfully designed step lights are minimal in size, use a small amount of material, and direct light only where it’s needed, reducing energy waste. Existing cable routes were utilized to minimize environmental impact, significantly cutting down on new construction work.

Giles Quarme Architects
Photo Credit: James Newton

Much lighting doubles as both architectural lighting and performance lighting. Additionally, a complete DMX and theatrical lighting infrastructure were designed so theatre lighting can be added easily when needed. With much lighting equipment concealed, all can see, appreciate, and use the wonderful space.

Giles Quarme Architects
Photo Credit: James Newton

Existing hanging lanterns in the entrances were converted to LEDs. No new luminaires were used there. Before the room used tungsten halogen and metal halide lamps, the luminaires were low quality, cheap, and in bad condition. The Sutton Vane Associates design team researched to see if they could be upgraded to LED but this was impossible. All new luminaires are low-energy LEDs. The majority of luminaires are specifically designed for the circular economy. The manufacturer of many of the luminaires is B Corp Certified, and its electricity supply is 100% renewable.

Giles Quarme Architects
Photo Credit: James Newton

All lighting is dimmable and set to a maximum of 95% to help extend life. The step lights are tiny, use a small amount of material, and shine light only where needed. Existing cable routes were used to reduce the amount of new construction work.

Giles Quarme Architects
Photo Credit: James Newton

Lighting Design/Product Company Sutton Vane Associates

Lead Designers Mark Sutton Vane

Other Designer’s names Julie O’Reilly, Edward Sutton-Vane

Architecture Company Giles Quarme Architects

Client Harrow School

Photo Credits James Newton

Completion Date June 2023

Project Location North London, GB

Company Link View