Warm White Lighting and Optical Control Transform a Grade II Landmark
Freemasons’ Hall in Bristol is one of the city’s most architecturally significant Grade II listed buildings. With a striking limestone façade and detailed stonework above the main entrance, the Hall required a façade lighting scheme that would both preserve its heritage and elevate its presence at night.
The existing external lighting was underwhelming and lacked the optical precision needed to highlight the building’s features. The client wanted a warmer, more refined effect that would enhance the limestone structure while introducing flexibility for different events and occasions.
Connected Light was commissioned to design a bespoke scheme that would deliver this visual transformation. Working closely with the team at Freemasons’ Hall and DTE Electrical Bristol, we specified a carefully planned lighting layout using Iguzzini luminaires, all painted to a RAL colour matching the building fabric for subtle integration.
To achieve a clean grazing effect along the façade, we selected optical distributions that would skim the surface of the stone and define the architectural lines without spill. For the lighter grey frieze element above the entrance, we introduced cooler LED colour temperatures to create tonal contrast and draw attention to this key feature.
Control was a critical part of the project. A DALI system was paired with Lutron controls, allowing for precise scene setting and automatic scheduling depending on the day, time or event. This flexibility gives the Hall a professional and functional lighting tool that can adapt to different needs with ease.
A key detail in the installation was the use of Iguzzini ‘Trick’ luminaires set into the window reveals, delivering a stunning 360° halo effect that adds depth and balance to the elevation. The combination of warm white LED against the limestone and cooler tones for the frieze creates a sophisticated, multi-layered visual result.
“This was about precision and subtlety,” says Matt Holway, Director at Connected Light. “The façade didn’t need to be flooded – it needed to be revealed. With careful planning and the right optical tools, we’ve been able to bring out the best in the architecture.”
The portico upgrade forms part of a wider lighting transformation at Freemasons’ Hall. Read more about the internal lighting upgrade here, which continues our long-standing relationship with the Hall across multiple projects.
