As part of a major refurbishment, Architects Alexi Marmot Associates specified a combination of Modular Lighting Instruments and LTS Light & Luminares products to create a new lighting scheme for the John Harvard Library in London, maximising the feeling of light and space and transforming the dated library into a contemporary and welcoming environment.

The John Harvard Library in Southwark has been completely refurbished and extended to provide state of the art facilities.  Funded by an award to Southwark Council of £1.42m from the Big Lottery Fund Community Libraries Programme, the refurbishment included the addition of a refreshment area, meeting rooms, accessible shelving, the removal of the suspended ceilings, and the installation of large windows to maximise light and space.

“From Modular Lighting Instruments we specified the 2FLAT2C lighting profile throughout the library because of their proven ability to provide good direct and indirect light within an elegant and sleek aesthetic,” David Jenkin, Design Director at Alexi Marmot Associates, explained. “In the entrance and the refreshment area we had a ceiling theme featuring large inset circles and we opted for the PL20 pendant from LTS, to fit in with this, the large white acrylic luminaires have created a visually striking and contemporary look for the space.”

Multiple Twin Surface units from Modular Lighting Instruments were also installed in the John Harvard Library. With the option of two or four AR111 lamps in one unit, the surface mounted units help to maximise light. Multiple Surface can also provide design flexibility with UV-filters, colour filters in red, yellow, green and blue or a honeycomb effect to reduce luminance where required.

Lastly, the Light Channel system from LTS Light & Luminares was also installed as part of the refurbishment as it was in keeping with the sleek modern lines required throughout the library. The stylish luminaire provides symmetrical light distribution and offers easy relamping via a removable acrylic cover.

At the launch of a new national consultation on the future of the public library service at John Harvard Library, The Culture minister Margaret Hodge MP described the newly opened facilities as a: “Stunning exemplar of the sort of practice we would like to see mirrored right across the country of a very welcoming environment, fantastic layout, good facilities for children and great facilities for people to learn”.