HOSPITALITY

Pinspotting in the Time of Social Distancing by April Mendis

Banqueting House in London is the only remaining component of the Palace of Whitehall. Remote COntrolled Lighting’s LED DR2 fixtures were used to  illuminate the tables.

Banqueting House in London is the only remaining component of the Palace of Whitehall. Remote COntrolled Lighting’s LED DR2 fixtures were used to illuminate the tables.

I was flipping through some RCL project photos this morning when this one caught my eye. I have long loved the dramatic look of pinspot lighting in a hospitality setting, and the Banqueting House of London is no exception. Under normal circumstances, these defined pools of light provide the comfort of certainty: guests know exactly where they belong. Lighting like this creates mini-communities within a larger event, and travelers from one table to another are welcomed into the circle for conversation. Laughter.

After almost five months of not having stepped into a restaurant or other indoor event space, this photo - and all of the warmth that the memory of social gatherings evoke - seems especially poignant.

In this photo, I see more than just a trigger for wistful daydreams. I see a path forward. The hospitality industry must now take steps to re-frame their spaces to adhere to social distancing requirements in a manner both safe and visually pleasing. For the time being, good lighting design will allow for clear boundaries around guest parties while allowing for a future when we won’t have to be so afraid of each other.

RCL’s DRX1 with 8°-16° Variable Pinspot is a perfect solution for contemporary lighting design in a world where hospitality providers must prioritize the health of their guests among the many factors that create a welcoming, lovely space.