A FESTIVE LIGHT INSTALLATION DESIGNED BY ROGERS STIRK HARBOUR & PARTNERS IS UNVEILED AT THE BERKELEY
The elegance of Wilton Place, Belgravia has been given a dramatic festive feel this Christmas season with a collaboration between leading architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and landmark London hotel The Berkeley. ‘Snowfall’ is a specially commissioned lighting installation evoking an intense magical snow scene to welcome guests as they enter and leave the hotel taking inspiration from the drama and intensity of a snow blizzard.
‘Snowfall’, with its 137,000 glistening lights, hangs from the hinges of the carbon fibre beams that were installed when RSHP designed the new Berkeley facade in 2016. By day, the light installation will refract the sunlight coming through the honeycomb effect set within the tripled glazed glass canopy and by night The Berkeley’s entrance will be transformed into an illuminating scene where the varied lights will create a glistening effect of snow falling upon the stone steps below.
Commenting on this project, Stephen Spence, associate partner at RSHP who lead the design says: “The installation evokes an intense snow storm as guests enter and leave the hotel, highlighting the sensation of warmth and cosiness inside. The lights are placed as low as possible so that they can almost be touched, as if the snow was bearing down. This creates a magical and memorable experience, enhanced by the sparkle of the reflections above.”
Knut Wylde, General Manager of The Berkeley comments, “We are delighted to have collaborated with Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners’ this Christmas to bring a sense of dramatic illumination to our entrance and provide guests with an exciting sense of arrival in keeping with our innovative spirit at The Berkeley.”
This festive light installation is the latest design in a sequence of projects by RSHP created for The Berkeley following the complete redesign of the hotel’s façade last year; an elegant extension to the hotel’s new ballroom unveiled this autumn; and the striking addition of sweeping terraces to a series of new suites. The creation of ‘Snowfall’ brings a festive touch to the partnership whilst looking ahead to a continued collaboration into the New Year and beyond.
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners is an international architectural practice based in London. Over nearly four decades, RSHP has attracted critical acclaim and awards with built projects across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia.
The practice is experienced in designing a wide range of building types including: office, residential, transport, education, culture, leisure, retail, civic and healthcare. The quality of its designs has been recognised with some of architecture’s highest awards, including two RIBA Stirling Prizes, one in 2006 for Terminal 4, Madrid Barajas Airport and the other in 2009 for Maggie’s West London Centre.
RSHP employs around 200 people, including 13 partners, 13 associate partners and 51 associates, in offices across the world – London and Shanghai.
In bustling Knightsbridge, The Berkeley, part of Maybourne Hotel Group is the essence of contemporary chic and innovative luxury. With stunning rooms and suites, two Michelin-starred cuisine from Marcus Wareing, a fashion favourite afternoon tea at Prêt-à-Portea, cocktails in the Blue Bar and The Berkeley Health Club & Spa complete with rooftop pool, The Berkeley continues to surprise and enchant.
