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.