Location
Munich, Germany
Date
2017
Client
IBM
Architects
Universal Design Studio
Switzer Group
Team
Map Project Office
The Highlight Towers in Munich, Germany, are now home to the new global Headquarters for IBM's Watson Internet of Things businesses for customers interested in innovative use of integrated IoT and Watson cognitive technologies, bringing it closer to everyday users. Universal Design Studio was appointed to develop a new design language to represent IBM Watson IoT and an approach to explaining the complex nature of cognitive computing and the Internet of Things by using physical installations and experiments rather than the traditional overuse of screens. For UDS, digital themes like light and scale, multiples and granularity served as inspiration for determining material choices like black and white terrazzo, timber panels, concrete and machined Corian.
Lighting technology and lighting integration carried the same level of sophistication and application within each of the client spaces starting at the ground level feature reception and exhibition area, moving up to the 20th floor where Client Experience zones create an immersive journey by taking customers through the story of IBM IoT Watson technology. Lighting control systems and lighting choreography are programmed to work with interactive use of IBM IoT simulations to clearly demonstrate their new innovative technology. Whilst the back-end relies on a sophisticated lighting technology, considerations for front-end lighting ensure elegance and simplicity in the architectural lighting design.
Awards
2017 New York Design Awards – Interior Design – International Corporate
Photography
Eduardo Perez Photography
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Date
2020
Interior architect
Universal Design Studio
Design architects
UN Studio
Woods Bagot
The 80 Collins commercial development overhauls an entire city block within the Melbourne CBD. The project provides a new 40-storey office building, with concurrent refurbishment of the 1970s-built, 47-storey Nauru House office tower plus construction of a 19-storey hotel. A spatially interlocked podium integrates the pedestrian flows to the three towers from the surrounding streets.
Working with London-based architects Universal Design Studio, SEAM has designed a lighting concept for the North Tower and South Tower lobbies that integrates the aesthetic of a minimalist modern reception with art gallery lighting performance. Closely related but finely distinguished aesthetically, the architectural lighting for the two lobbies is designed to emphasise their unique interior geometry and materiality while preserving commercial functionality.
The first of two lighting layers is a structured ceiling arrangement combining directional visual lines that reinforce wayfinding with deep transverse channels, recessed to conceal spotlights that highlight art pieces on display throughout the lobbies. The second lighting layer is a discreetly integrated system of linear wall washers that highlight the honed stone surfaces, emphasising their warmth next to satin stainless-steel panels.
Photography - Sean Fennessy
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Date
2020
Interior architect
Universal Design Studio
Design architects
UN Studio
Woods Bagot
The 80 Collins commercial development overhauls an entire city block within the Melbourne CBD. The project provides a new 40-storey office building, with concurrent refurbishment of the 1970s-built, 47-storey Nauru House office tower plus construction of a 19-storey hotel. A spatially interlocked podium integrates the pedestrian flows to the three towers from the surrounding streets.
Working with London-based architects Universal Design Studio, SEAM has designed a lighting concept for the North Tower and South Tower lobbies that integrates the aesthetic of a minimalist modern reception with art gallery lighting performance. Closely related but finely distinguished aesthetically, the architectural lighting for the two lobbies is designed to emphasise their unique interior geometry and materiality while preserving commercial functionality.
The first of two lighting layers is a structured ceiling arrangement combining directional visual lines that reinforce wayfinding with deep transverse channels, recessed to conceal spotlights that highlight art pieces on display throughout the lobbies. The second lighting layer is a discreetly integrated system of linear wall washers that highlight the honed stone surfaces, emphasising their warmth next to satin stainless-steel panels.
Location
Geneva, Switzerland
Date
2014
Client
HSBC
Architects
Make Architects
Itten+Brechbühl
Team
Rigot+Rieben
Located on Quai des Bergues in one of Geneva’s most prestigious historic areas, Make’s scheme for HSBC Private Bank merges seven individual, 18th-century buildings into a new unified, state-of-the-art front office along the waterfront of Lake Geneva. With the revival of the historic buildings, HSBC’s presence is re-established as a global bank in a city renowned for banking. The architect’s brief was in essence, two in one: to provide confidentiality, discretion and seclusion for clients, while providing transparency, security and a comfortable, open and friendly working environment for staff.
SEAM Design was tasked with providing innovative lighting design solutions for all interior and exterior areas including a centralised grand feature atrium, typical office levels, trading floor, staff floor amenities such as tea points and restrooms, high-spec client levels with meeting rooms, dining rooms and other amenities, plus executive offices and executive lounge offices. The lighting aspires to a unified design, one that unequivocally evokes HSBC as a global brand while combining the distinct approach to client and staff into an intertwined whole. Throughout the expansive scheme, lighting shared a design importance with architectural materials, considerately handled and integrated into the material palette of furniture, finishes and architectural detailing, even for service stairs and back of house corridors.
Awards
2015 Lighting Design Awards – International Project, Interiors – Shortlisted
2015 Building Awards – International Project of the Year – Shortlisted
2015 AJ Retrofit Awards – International Innovation Award – Shortlisted
2014 FX International Interior Design Awards – Workspace Environment – Shortlisted
2014 FX International Interior Design Awards – Global Project Winner
Photography
Vincent Jendly
John MacLean
Location
Anchorage, Alaska
Date
2012
Design
BALMOND / STUDIO
Designed by BALMOND / STUDIO for the Alaska Crime Lab, Snow Words is a light art installation – an abstracted time piece derived from prime-number and code sequences. SEAM was appointed to provide lighting design and technical services for the project.
The sculpture comprises 24 poles with 206 light units. The light units are individually addressed with core-facing and perimeter-facing light sources separately controlled to allow movement of light within the sculpture itself. The light sculpture is also calibrated to its location and context to respond to extreme changes and variations of light throughout the year.
Snow Words is recognised by the Public Art Network’s 2013 Year In Review as one of the most compelling and outstanding works across the United States.
Awards
2013 Public Art Network – Top 50 Public Works of Art
Photography
Devki RajGuru
Location
New York, US
Client
Taiwanese Consulate
Architects
Jeffrey McKean Architecture
Swanke Hayden Connell Architects
Fulfilling the aspiration to create a prestigious new address in Manhattan, the Taiwanese Consulate is a renovated corporate office building, and home to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. SEAM provided lighting design services for the public areas and for the typical office floor lighting, from concept through to construction.
A defining architectural statement is created in the grand double-height atrium, where a custom feature wall provides a flexible exhibit display for curating cultural artefacts. The atrium’s lighting system is multi-modal, allowing the atrium to double as a special-event performance space that opens into art galleries at the ground and mezzanine levels. Theatrical performance lighting and architectural lighting are integrated into the lower-ground-floor auditorium, including illuminated ‘skylights’ that shine through the atrium floor above.
A world-class working environment and private offices are created across the upper levels.
Photography
Jeffrey McKean Architecture
