The Westin’s first UK hotel illuminated by Nulty

Guests enter the Thames side of the hotel into a triple height lobby called The Haven, where a free flowing paper sculpture dominates the space and mirrors the ebb and flow of the river. Track lighting is used to illuminate the space beneath the installation, bouncing light onto the sculpture to form a play of light across the muted grey wall. Illumination has been concealed elsewhere in the space to create a layer of warm ambient light that gives the sculpture space.

In the second floor wine bar, Hithe + Seek, adjustable spotlights are integrated into a curved wood ceiling and positioned at varying heights. Light is concealed to follow the contours of the architectural ceiling, drawing the eye to a sequence of interlocking globe pendants that bring character and intimacy to the space, particularly after dark where the bar is visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The bar itself forms a centrepiece and features integrated illumination within the joinery and graze lighting below the countertop to pick out the beauty of the stone.

Nulty’s lighting approach in the guestrooms and suites responds to DMA’s restrained design narrative, by balancing layers of light to promote a feeling of space and calm. The Westin’s signature Heavenly Bed is the showpiece, so the team used lines of light around the frame and within the headboard to create a soothing effect.

Decorative wall lamps positioned either side of the bed provide a gentle glow of warm light, while mesh floor lamps with directional light sources form shadow effects on the wall. In the suites, cove details create an understated quality of light, which allows the crafted pendants and lamps to set the decorative tone for the space. All of the guestrooms and suites feature systems by Vivid and Lutron that enable guests to switch between lighting scenes with ease.

Nulty’s design intent in the spa, pool and fitness area was to envelop guests in serenity and tranquillity. In the underground swimming pool, this meant paying careful attention to the materials by grazing light across the textured surfaces and using lines of illumination to frame and accentuate a series of recessed stone feature walls. Within the Heavenly Spa by Westin reception, coffer lighting provides warm ambient light from above, while in the fitness centre diffuse lines of light in the ceiling and walls contribute to the relaxed, intimate feel of the space.