THE UK WINNER: THE OWO AND THE OWO RESIDENCES BY RAFFLES LIGHTING DESIGN: DPA LIGHTING CONSULTANTS
IALD AWARD OF MERIT
The former Old War Ofice building in Whitehall was once the HQ for Winston Churchill, among other statesmen, and an inspiration for author Ian Fleming to write the James Bond novels. With more than 1,000 rooms linked by 2.5 miles of corridors, it was originally built in 1906 for the Ministry of Defence. The restoration and transformation of the Grade II* listed building was epic, taking eight years and hundreds of craftsmen who restored period features including the hand-laid mosaic floors, rich oak panelling, magnificent chandeliers, and dramatic marble staircase.
The building is now home to the 120-room Rafles London hotel, and The OWO Residences, representing the first Rafles residences in the UK and Europe. The development includes nine new restaurants and three bars, plus the Guerlain Spa, also the first in the UK, which spans 2,500m2
over four
floors and features an extensive gym and 20m pool.
DPA Lighting Consultants designed both the interior and exterior lighting, with the exception of a few restaurants. To complement the warmth of the interior, and to respect its character and that of the surrounding buildings, a very warm white light was used on the façade, softly sketching the intricate Edwardian baroque architecture. The lighting employs a hierarchy of brightness as a central part of the design to reduce light and intensity to the building as it rose from the ground up. ‘Dimming was vital to balance the levels and refine the overall design to provide a soft and magical effect sitting comfortably among the other magnificent buildings,’ says DPA.
Within the Grand Courtyard, the Pavilion-shaped restaurant and mirrored water feature by Daewha Kang Studio, both contemporary in style, are intentionally unlit to emphasise the reflection of the perimeter building. A similarly sensitive approach was adopted for the interior spaces, the warm white lighting carefully concealed from view to point up the sweeping columns, cornices, friezes and the intricacies of other architectural details.
Heritage was a predictable constraint. The ceilings in the entrance, for example, could not be touched but could be lit from carefully concealed locations augmented by decorative lighting. Throughout, these elaborate light fittings also act as a vehicle for additional illumination, with integrated spotlights to provide accents to other interior elements.
JOINT SHAREHOLDERS:
HINDUJA GROUP AND ONEX HOLDING HOTEL OPERATOR:
RAFFLES LONDON AT THE OWO ARCHITECT: EPR ARCHITECTS
DESIGNERS: RAFFLES LONDON AT THE OWO: THE OFFICE OF THIERRY W DESPONT; THE GUERLAIN SPA SWIMMING POOL AND WELLNESS AREAS: GODDARD LITTLEFAIR; THE OWO RESIDENCES BY RAFFLES: 1508 LONDON (PUBLIC AREAS AND APARTMENTS BASE BUILD)
For further details on the 2025 IALD International Lighting Design Awards winners:
iald.org/awards The 43rd annual IALD will take place in March 2026 at Light + Building in Frankfurt, Germany
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THE OWO AND RAFFLES LONDON AT THE OWO
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