The Royal Automobile Club is one of the most renowned private members clubs in the UK and has equally impressive facilities to match. Their clubhouse at Pall Mall features 108 bedrooms, seven banqueting rooms, three restaurants and a full-sized marble swimming pool. Sutton Vane Associates were commissioned as the lighting designers to light the 26-meter-long pool, as part of a full restoration.

The scheme focused on celebrating the Grecian style architecture and bringing a new sense of energy to the space. Linear striplights were used in conjunction with cleverly hidden spotlights to provide illumination to the intricate coffered ceiling. The natural light in the space was enhanced by installing frosted film on the windows, to diffuse the daylight and also hide the equipment installed behind them in the lightwell. To reduce the contrast between these bright windows and the walls, the lay lights above were artificially lit to replicate sunlight, further providing more diffused light.

Existing fittings and features were reused but updated, providing illumination not only to their immediate surroundings but also to the ceiling. Careful attention was paid to ensuring light glare was not an issue for swimmers, with warm LED chips used to create an inviting ambience to the space.