A new lighting scheme that blends performance and practicality has been created at the new European headquarters of World Duty Free (WDF). The scheme, by McCarthy Bainbridge Ltd, features Ridi’s MIELA-EBIMML luminaires in a design that creates a productive, shadow-free environment for staff of the world’s leading travel retailer.

Located at Bedfont Lakes adjacent to Heathrow, the new headquarters is the centre of WDF’s European operations. Occupying a space of 27,000 ft² over four floors, the prestigious office features boardrooms and meeting rooms as well as a large, open plan work space. Although fortunate to have natural light through glazed facades, the open plan office still needed effective artificial light to eliminate the dark oppressive shadows in the centre. Through good vertical and ceiling illumination Ridi’s MIELA-EBIMML luminaires combine with the natural light to establish a consistent level of light distribution that is pleasing to the eye and comfortable to work by.

Office Projects Ltd completed the fast track fit-out and worked actively with McCarthy Bainbridge to incorporate the lighting scheme within the interior design: “The project needed to be completed quickly so the pressure was on from the start,” says Tony Bainbridge. We quickly established a good working partnership with Office Projects and BEH Services to enable us to meet the clients needs and were also fortunate to be able to draw on our long-standing relationship with Ridi who were able to supply the MIELA-EBIMML luminaire secure in the knowledge that it does a great job and has never let us down in the past.”

Manufactured in high-strength steel in an attractive design, Ridi’s MEILA-EBIMML is a recessed direct/indirect luminaire with a perforated drop gondola and white aluminium gullwing reflectors. The luminaire gives a glare free environment which is ideal for balanced office interiors and satisfying the needs of LG7. For this project a special fast fix version was made to fit into a metal plank ceiling. The luminaires also featured discrete air-handling slots and 2x28w T5 lamps.

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