Transforming a fusty traditional university clubhouse into a modern, sharp lounge, bar and meeting center, Woodhouse Tinucci Architects needed focus on the qualities of light that make spaces live.

Confident use of cylinder downlights to wallwash, to accent and as scaling tools in the space gave a minimalist space a sense of clarity – the fixtures feel as part of a feature ceiling element in an otherwise unadorned space. Tones of light and careful use of balance and form bring richness and a quality of light to faces and the people who inhabit the space.

The lighting obeys the geometry of the space, careful to respect the lines of architecture and of human flows. This allows a tranquility that is coherent throughout. The entire project was delivered on an extremely low budget, the sharpness mediating the rough edges in technology and cost.

Quality of light includes the tone and rendition of white, but it also is driven by contrast, flow of light and form.

An elegant, quiet space in which light is a protagonist, but the lighting is almost subconscious.