Lighting Design by Victoria Jerram puts F1® Arcade in Pole Position

[London: March 2023] The world’s first premium F1 experiential racing venue has now opened its doors to driving enthusiasts who can take advantage of this revolutionary social gaming experience. Expertly designed to make you feel like a champion, award-winning NDBA architects, and interior design firm, Anamo Design Studio, have created a unique racing environment that cleverly combines the glamorous Formula 1 lifestyle with the high-tech energy that comes with racing.

Located in London at One New Change – St Paul’s, F1® Arcade offers 60 bespoke full-motion racing simulators, delicious food served from its restaurant, and bespoke champagne cocktails from an impressive feature bar. Creating the perfect atmosphere for this alternative social gaming experience, the venue is spread across three levels with a spectacular mezzanine area which will be utilised for private functions with views over the main gaming area and bar below.

Directly opposite St Paul’s Cathedral, F1® Arcade occupies two units at One New Change, and the venue’s extensive glazing offers ‘trackside’ views of the iconic London landmark. Stepping into the driving seat, VictoriaJerram was appointed to design the lighting scheme for this immersive experience. Lighting was instrumental in the design of the arcade and needed to be carefully controlled to take advantage of panoramic views while limiting reflections in the glazing.

Throughout the project it was integral that the lighting for the F1® Arcade created drama and atmosphere for the driving enthusiasts. As such, the carefully curated installation of a track and spot arrangement, suspended below the exposed services with narrow beam spotlights, produced focused pools of light to highlight tabletops and the beautiful floral displays. With futureproofing in mind, the track and spotlights deliver a flexible and simple solution for any future adjustments. Demonstrated by the sheer volume of integrated lighting within the joinery, Victoria Jerram’s attention to detail is showcased through the exceptional design achieved by working with a number of joinery companies to ensure the integrated lighting was just right.

In keeping with the dynamic nature of F1 racing, bespoke feature lighting by The Light Lab, in the form of six large pendants inspired by F1 circuits, were lit with a digital colour changing LED which can be controlled byspecialist pixel mapping software. Additionally, the ‘starting light’ feature walls were programmed to mimic the F1 starting sequence and a digital colour changing LED was integrated into the feature bar with its own display sequences within the software. Achieving the fine balance between elegance and exhilaration, scene-setting of the mode lighting control system was also essential to balance the huge palette of direct, indirect and colour changing light sources to define a hierarchy of light within the space.

Architectural lighting design consultant, Victoria Jerram commented: “As is the case with any innovative concept, there is always going to be inevitable challenges along the way. From the outset the brief was clear, and despite a challenging seven months from the initial appointment to doors opening, I am immensely proud of the finished product which is a testament to the contemporary vision of F1® Arcade and the imagination of the wider design team to deliver the ultimate racing experience for driving enthusiasts and gamers alike.”