This historic gunnery or gun emplacement was used during the Second World War. It is perched majestically on the edge of a cliff just outside Deal. For many years it laid semi-derelict until it was purchased in 2014 by an ambitious property entrepreneur who was keen to convert it into a unique and special family home.

The client was adamant from the start that the lighting design was a key element of the overall design. He recognised that lighting has the power to transform a property from the average into the sublime. With this particular property, lighting was perhaps especially important as some of the rooms were set deep into the cliff with no natural light.

We were engaged from the very start of this unique and challenging project. Planning and construction issues abounded and meant that the project went through many design iterations and lasted a number of years. It was eventually completed in 2019. The client was delighted by the final lighting scheme:

“We could not be more thrilled with the results. Sian is not only truly talented with her design ideas but is fantastic to work with.”

The lighting scheme uses LED light sources only and is made up of concealed linear lighting (to wash walls and blinds and to create features in many of the rooms), up lights, down lights, floor washers and carefully selected decorative pendants and wall lights. The lights were sourced from 7 different suppliers.

This lighting project was entered into the best lighting scheme category of the International Design and Architecture Awards 2019 and has been shortlisted.

The property also received coverage in the Telegraph in August 2019.