The Institution of Structural Engineers

The Institution of Structural Engineers has over 30,000 members operating in over 100 countries and is an internationally recognised source of expertise and information concerning all issues that involve structural engineering and public safety within the built environment. Based in Belgravia for the past 89 years, the Institution had outgrown its current home and in 2015 relocated to Clerkenwell. Sutton Vane Associates were commissioned to light the new headquarters designed by Hugh Broughton Architects.

The building is designed to showcase many different structural engineering principles in a clean and airy environment. The double-height entrance area features a cantilevered stair and dramatic mezzanine level bridge that demonstrates principles of bending and shear. Such impressive structures required discreet or completely hidden lighting to ensure that the architecture rightly takes the centre of attention.

In such an airy and minimalist space, there was the potential for the building to feel sterile, but SVA specified warm lighting helping to bring a warm ambience to the interior environment. The reception desk has a linear striplight surround at its base, giving the illusion that it is floating, echoing the ‘floating’ mezzanine bridge in the main entrance area. Recessed downlights are hidden between the supporting struts of the bridge and take on the appearance of rivets, providing the necessary light to the space whilst suitably tying into the surroundings. Where lighting is unable to be hidden it is unashamedly present in the space. Large surface-mounted downlights echo the precise yet bold interior architecture and flood the space with light. All the luminaries throughout were carefully aimed to avoid glare.

On the upper floors, lighting was again minimal, highly functional and reflective of the architecture. Just off the main double-height space is a collaboration area with bookshelves running along the walls. Lines of light run parallel to the façade and provide punctuation to the area, creating a visual connection to the impressive entrance lobby. Other meeting and collaboration spaces were also lit as well as a 104–seat auditorium that required flexible lighting for the various events that it hosts. Linear striplights wash the walls and give the illusion of a floating ceiling, with track-mounted spotlights providing the required adaptable illumination.