Architects and graphic designers tilney shane were approached to act as design consultants on IBM's award winning offices at Bedfont Lakes near Heathrow. The star of the show was the 'Chameleon' colour changing fluorescent system specially developed by Deltalight UK...

Architecture and interior design company tilney shane has helped IBM create a new cutting edge customer experience at IBM's award winning offices at Bedfont Lakes near Heathrow. The all-new multi mission 'Forum' replaces an installation of the same name created by tilney shane on the site nearly ten years ago. The facility takes corporate guests of IBM and its business partners on a customer journey that showcases the very best of IBM business support.

Since creating the original Forum at Bedfont Lakes, tilney shane has developed guidelines for the Forum concept that are being implemented throughout EMEA. The original Forum at Bedfont Lakes proved so successful that it has been host to 50-60,000 IBM customers a year. With the rapid changes in technology the existing facilities would soon not be able to meet the demands of IBM's Business direction.

Following the consolidation of existing Forums and the introduction of new business partners, Bedfont Lakes has become IBM's leading UK London Forum. The main drivers were to showcase IBM and its business partners in an inspiring, flexible and impressive environment to enhance the centre's ability to support Sales and Marketing.

Central to the design scheme is a new mezzanine that now floats within the existing central atrium. This increases the floor area without stealing space from other parts of the building. A staircase flanked by floor to ceiling light monoliths (designed by Atwork Associates) is a feature that draws visitors from the ground floor up to the mezzanine 'solutions gallery'. The monoliths are internally illumination and controlled from Deltalight UK's 'Chameleon' integrated fluorescent colour wash system. This consists of a single unit incorporating four colour sleeved T26 tubes, dimmable control gear for each tube giving light in one direction. When projected behind a diffusing material of perspex, acrylic or barisol a colour effect can be achieved. By dimming or brightening each tube independently, a different colour or tone can be mixed. Colours were selected to enhance the branding of each of the five IBM businesses. This goes through a gradual colour changing timed sequence. Specific colours can also be created to promote special events.

"The sequences and colour spectrum is immense," comments tilney shane's Philip Holbrook. "This central feature acts as a focus for the very heart of the forum and also helps to draw customers up to the new mezzanine floor."

"An initial idea of mounting two standard 'Chameleon' units back to back had proven too costly," stated Deltalight UK's Peter Smith. "Light had to be projected in both directions to light both surfaces of each monolith wall at once. The solution was a rectangular frame. The outside edge of the frame houses the dimmable gear, the tubes are fixed at each end and light projects in both directions."

The Forum boasts the very latest technology, designed as an integral part of the scheme. Holographic projection screens provide focal points in the larger spaces. Events in the main auditorium (which seats over 230), can be linked to a large network of plasma screens throughout the sales and marketing facility. A 'Minority Report' style clear glass projection screen 'floats' in the main foyer, a dramatic focal point for presentations and promotions. Digital projection, teleconferencing and interactive screens are ubiquitous. Of particular note are two interactive tables with integral LCD screens to help delegates circumnavigate and make use of the Forum facilities.

The real heroes of the facility are tilney shane's custom designed, free-standing 'pods' internally illuminated by acrylic 'L' side panels. These elegant structures provide a focus for demonstrations and can be used to accommodate flat screens, a range of digital appliances and supporting campaign graphics. Combined with translucent hanging screens the mobile pods allow IBM and its business partners the opportunity to articulate the flexible solutions galleries into customised zones.

The challenge to improve the delivery and presentation of catering for up to 500 people at a time has been resolved not only by intelligent space planning but by introducing specially designed dual use buffet tables which can adapt to the catering requirements of the day. By encouraging visitors to stay within the Forum to eat IBM can encourage the cross communication between delegates which they know makes for better business. Four scenes have been set using a Lutron Grafik Eye control system - breakfast, lunch, evening receptions and cleaning.

Extending this philosophy of encouraging small, informal meetings, tilney shane has provided a number of more intimate breakout areas and smaller glazed spaces. The conference and demo rooms are also more flexible and are now able to adapt and change to provide spaces for between 8 to 250 people. Again, four scene settings have been created using a Lutron Grafik Eye: general meeting, digital projection presentation, video conferencing and cleaning.

Fully integrated way finding signage and electronic messaging screens help guide customers from the central solutions galleries to their designated conference rooms and auditoriums.

The IBM London Forum is testimony to the rigour of the tilney shane guidelines which ensure a degree of consistency without stifling ingenuity and innovation. It shows that the Forum concept can reflect the very latest in IBM thinking whilst supporting the overall philosophy of focussed inspiration.

technical information:

Design Consultant: tilney shane
M&E: Hillson Moran
Contractor: Overbury
Structural Engineer: WSP
Project Manager: Northcroft
Lighting Solutions: Deltalight Chamelon fluorescent colour changing system, Deltalight recessed Q-line profile (5xQR111 50W & 2xdimmable TL18W), Deltalight recessed Midiline 80 (7xQR-CB51 50W orientables), Deltalight dimmable T16 2x54W Parralel Down PC, iGuzzini Frame Large 4x50W 12V QR111+55W TC-L, iGuzzini Frame Large Square 75W 12V QR111, Flos Glo Ball floor standing and table lamps for local light, Lutron Grafik Eye control system

www.tilneyshane.co.uk