Lucent, Piccadilly Lights

Vacant since the 1950s, the 13 buildings behind the famous Piccadilly Lights have now been transformed by Fletcher Priest and Wates into a modern, seven-storey mixed-use building, commissioned by Landsec.

The area “retains and celebrates the identities of each building” situated behind the iconic landmark, and includes space for offices, shops, apartments and a large garden area directly behind the billboard.

The Requirement

With a target of achieving BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Core Gold, the project had a strong emphasis on sustainability, the natural environment and light.

Therefore, Lucent required a shading solution that could meet both sets of criteria, did not compromise the view to the outside and controlled the amount of natural light entering the building.

Furthermore, the complex but stunning design of the building meant a combination of over 500 manual and motorised blinds were required to provide sufficient and effective shading, with the windows varying in size and shape.

Our Solution

12 windows in particular presented us with an opportunity to create an emphatic solar shading solution.

Due to their trapezoidal shape, our ShadeTech® MSW Tensioned Roller Blind with cassette headbox and side channels proved to be the ideal choice. Able to be operated either individually or grouped, the radio motors were controlled via radio wall switches.

For the rest of the project, we designed, manufactured and installed our ShadeTech® RBL-C Chain Operated Roller Blind with universal fixing brackets. Although a fully automated system throughout the building was our desire and would have been the most energy efficient shading solution, this was not to be the case following the value engineering process.

However, to ensure the blinds met the sustainability requirements as best they could, we used Verosol’s Enviroscreen® for the RBL-C’s. The fabric is 100% recyclable and has a highly reflective metallised backing, which significantly reduces the amount of heat gain and glare entering the building.

Meanwhile, Serge Ferrari’s Soltis 92 fabric was used for the MSW Tensioned systems to provide excellent thermal performance.

The Outcome

We’re hugely proud to have contributed to such a successful project at a location as iconic as Piccadilly Circus.

Working alongside Fletcher Priest and Wates from the design stage was of paramount importance to the delivery of a snag free project.