Light & Shade.

“The retained façade and period of the building directly inspired our approach to the lighting design,” says Vabel Creative Director and co-founder Jeremy Spencer of Vabel Kentisston in Kentish Town, which began its life as a polytechnic in 1929.

With the early modernist façade defined by large, arching windows, filling the interior spaces with light, Jeremy naturally considered lighting design as soon as the studio embarked on the project. He set about creating a range of bespoke light fittings, to bring atmosphere to the space when the light fades.

Lighting design at Vabel is inextricably linked to space planning and zoning. “It’s all about the living experience, and facilitating different functions and activities – considering how the home is used,” Jeremy explains. “It’s about transforming the mundane into a ritual. Our lighting design is born from the specific functions and atmosphere we want to give to the spaces.” All the lights used in Vabel homes are energy-efficient LED and dimmable, so you can create the right ambience – whether you’re having a quiet night or hosting a party with friends.

Once designed by Jeremy, the bespoke fittings were created by lighting manufacturer Hoad & More. Specialising in lighting which is made to last, the small Buckinghamshire-based company was chosen by Jeremy due to the quality of their fittings. “I had the confidence that they would be able to take our design and to collaborate to ensure that the end result was technically sound, and still true to the original sketch,” he says. “It was a brilliant collaboration.”

Although it might be an afterthought for some developers, lighting design for Vabel is paramount to their process. “Right from the start, when we’re considering the concept and setting out spaces, lighting design is being woven in,” Jeremy says. “It’s not just about the space on plan, it’s how you transition through, and inhabit these spaces – the functionality, the atmosphere, and ultimately how it makes you feel. That’s what makes a design for a home successful. It’s not just about a light fitting, it’s about what lighting is required for living. We want to offer a living experience that is beyond expectations, and lighting design is essential to that.”