RIDI VENICE Linear Line products were used throughout all the office areas of the new LPW facility in Widnes. The fit out of the office, labs and advanced manufacturing facilities which were completed in April 2018. The overall design was meant to pay tribute to the materials produced by the company (metal powders for additive manufacturing) and to reflect the status of this building as their global HQ.

2M2 Studio Architects selected the natural aluminium VENICE as a perfect product to compliment the space. The offices were finished in a pallet of greys and aluminium/metallic finishes with an exposed services ceiling in a reflective aluminium finish. A special variation of VENICE was produced with a soft indirect element to take advantage of the ceiling finish. With an 80/20 light distribution, the direct light was produced via an opal diffuser and the scheme yielded a consistent 400 lux level. The balance of direct/indirect light produced a nice comfortable glare free solution.

A nice design touch was the desire to have seamless lengths with no joins. 4.5m and 3.0m lengths were used throughout the building. However, a point was made not to connect lengths together and allow small gaps in between certain runs. This allows the product to exhibit more form and interest in the space. Ultimately the suspended aluminium lines of light integrated seamlessly into the workspace and succeeded in looking part of the building fabric.