Reggiani UK has supplied a variety of light fittings that include the offbeat Splyt and Envios luminaires for the refurbishment of Bute Mills, the new home for Luton-based charity Youthscape. Previously a steam flour mill, the 100-year old building is one of the most iconic in the centre of the Bedfordshire town. It was purchased by the charity in 2013 and has since gone through a complete transformation. All 5 floors, totalling 10,000 sq.ft., have now been fully refurbished with the result being a stunning creation of fashionable architectural space that is also sympathetic to the original structure of the building.
Leading architects HOK were responsible for the overall project design scheme and worked closely with lighting designer Xavier Fulbright of Lumineer Studio and Stuart Gaunt, Head of Technical Specification at Reggiani UK. Andy Warner Lacey of HOK stated: “It was a pleasure to work with Reggiani on the Bute Mills project. Their proactive approach and the quality of the products was second to none. The flexibility offered by the Splyt downlight was hugely impressive in a genuinely innovative fitting”. Xavier Fulbright, lighting designer, added: “Although Reggiani’s luminaires have a contemporary aesthetic and provide modern lighting effects and functions, they amalgamated very well into the ‘Shoreditch eclectic style’ interior at Bute Mills. I was particularly impressed with the Splyt downlight range in terms of size, glare control and soft optic distribution which suited our brief perfectly”.

Reggiani’s surface-mounted Splyt incorporating high-performance optics was specified for good ambient lighting in most central spaces at Bute Mills. The Splyt luminaire is extremely versatile and includes semi-recessed, track, surface and wall mounting options to suit virtually any application. Available in 120mm and 150mm sizes, both were utilised on the Bute Mills project with 17W and 31W LED lamps respectively.
Envios medium track fittings with 10W LED lamps were used in the main entrance area and also in repeated small groupings in several meeting/presentation spaces. These fittings constitute ideal directional spots, such as in the auditorium area, but also offer striking visual impact when arranged evenly spaced out on track in groups.
Other Reggiani fittings utilised for the project include LowLED 10W, Linea Luce Slim Medium and Low with 27W and 9W LED lamps respectively and the visually stunning Lorosae pendants in white incorporating 100W GLS lamps. The Lorosae pendants installed over a communal kitchen table are guaranteed to make a statement whilst offering direct illumination to the convivial consumption of food and beverages in the area below.
Fiona Green, of Youthscape commented “It was an absolute pleasure to work with Reggiani on this project and we’re delighted with the finished result. Stuart’s enthusiasm for the project, technical know-how and attention to detail were outstanding, and made us feel like truly valued clients. Visitors to Bute Mills pick out the Splyt downlight as one of the standout features, and the aesthetic impact & flexibility of the Envios track system in our conference & training facility helps to make this one of the showpieces of the building.”

Photography by Ben Hodson