A vision of understated luxury
The best architectural lighting doesn't demand attention; it allows the space itself to take centre stage.
That was the guiding principle behind the lighting for The Chancery Rosewood, the transformation of the former United States Embassy at 30 Grosvenor Square into one of London's most prestigious luxury hotels. The building, a Grade II listed landmark originally designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen in 1960, has been carefully reimagined as a destination where architectural heritage and contemporary luxury meet. The project also became the UK's first five-star hotel to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating, reflecting the exceptional environmental performance delivered alongside its architectural restoration.
Working with lighting designers LDI, LightGraphix supplied a range of discreet architectural luminaires. The goal was simple: create a warm, refined environment where the lighting enhances architecture and finishes without ever dominating.
Throughout the hotel, LD43DR deep recessed uplights, LD72M miniature recessed downlights, LD150 uplights, LD56 walkover fittings and bespoke LD155 façade uplights were seamlessly integrated into guest suites, restaurants, public areas and the building's distinctive exterior. Excellent optical control and carefully selected beam distributions highlight architectural features with precision while minimising glare and unwanted spill, creating a calm, welcoming atmosphere and exceptional visual comfort throughout.
Preserving the design intent
Complex hospitality projects rarely unfold exactly as planned. Changes to floor build-ups and available installation spaces meant several originally specified luminaires could no longer fit. The LightGraphix team worked closely with LDI to identify alternatives that met the revised constraints while preserving the original lighting intent. This flexibility kept the scheme visually consistent and true to its vision.
From interiors to the rooftop
The lighting narrative continues beyond the hotel's interiors to the rooftop terrace. Here LD20238 Ultra adjustable spotlights were specified to illuminate Theodore Roszak's monumental 11-metre-wide gilded Aluminium eagle sculpture. Long recognised as one of the building's defining architectural features, the eagle retains its commanding presence above Grosvenor Square, while carefully controlled illumination allows it to remain a striking focal point after dark. The scheme helps create a seamless visual connection between the hotel's interior and exterior spaces.
The project shows what discreet, high-performance architectural lighting can achieve in luxury hospitality: precision rather than prominence. Exceptional optical performance, close collaboration, and product flexibility combined to deliver a cohesive lighting design that complements the architecture, supports the guest experience, and respects the significance of one of London's most iconic buildings.
Hubert Poon, Lighting Designer at LDI, on the collaboration:
"Our vision was to create a warm, refined hotel environment where the lighting enhances the architecture and interior finishes while remaining discreet, allowing the space itself to take centre stage.
As the project progressed and site conditions changed, LightGraphix recommended suitable alternative fittings that addressed the installation constraints without compromising the original lighting intent. Their excellent optical control, product flexibility and technical expertise helped us maintain a consistent lighting design throughout the project, and the completed installation delivers the level of precision, visual comfort and design quality we were aiming for."
The completed lighting scheme has since been shortlisted in the 2025 [d]arc Awards, recognising its contribution to one of the year's most significant hospitality projects.
Lighting Design Inernational
Charlotte Svenson
Hubert Poon
David Chipperfield Architects, UK
Edmund Sumner
