2025 [D]ARC AWARDS: THAMES CITY PROJECT

As experts in bespoke lighting solutions, No Grey Area has worked with a vast range of clients on varying projects.

We have worked on commercial projects with Google HQ and Bloomberg, retail projects with Huawei and the Mall of Muscat, residential projects in Kent, England, hospitality projects with Hoe Lee Kow in Dubai, healthcare projects with Enhance by Mediclinic and Ahrend, education projects with Brasenose College and other universities, entertainment projects with VOV and exhibition projects with Sega Orbi.

No Grey Area have been involved with the [d]arc awards for several years now, including in the [d]arc awards 2024. With Michael Grubb Studio, we showcased our “Let’s Get Physical” installation which featured a dynamic dancefloor choreographed by programmable LEDs behind a stretch ceiling retro media wall.

What are the [d]arc awards?

First held in 2015, the [d]arc awards is a unique collaboration between arc and darc magazines, utilising their reputation as the most widely read and respected lighting design publications in the world. A further collaboration with creative consultants Light Collective means the awards are a unique opportunity to get every practice into the awards process, with lighting designers, architects, interior designers or manufacturers able to enter.

Once the shortlist is decided upon by an international jury of expert lighting designers, independent lighting designers, architects, interior designers and product designers are invited to vote for their favourite projects and products. This makes the [d]arc awards the only peer-to-peer lighting design awards in the world.

This year’s event marked the 10th year anniversary of the awards, after last year’s back to the ‘80s themed event. The award categories include structures, places, spaces, art, event and kit.

What is the Thames City Project?

The Thames City project brings luxury to a former industrial site and spans over 10 acres in Nine Elms, London. The project – consisting of public realm and residential lighting – combines architecture by SOM and lighting concepts developed by Equation Lighting and delivered by Foundry and blends urban sophistication with immersive greenery and landscapes, and high-end amenities across residential towers.

The project spans both public and private zones, including landscaped gardens, walkways, lounges and wellness spaces, meaning the role of bespoke lighting design and delivery is crucial in maximising the sensory and experiential quality of the space.

Phase 1 of the Thames City project, which also features two new tours – number 8 and number 9 – which offer riverside living apartments with amenities including a 30-metre long swimming pool, cinema, private dining and a sky lounge, was completed in 2024

How did No Grey Area support the project?

No Grey Area proudly contributed to the delivery of this award-winning scheme by supplying precision bespoke lighting components, specially created to enhance both performance and atmosphere.

Throughout the project, our team of expert bespoke lighting designers collaborated with key individuals from other companies, including Foundry.

Working with Foundry

Our team worked closely with Ellie Cozens and Neale Smith from Foundry to support the realisation of the lighting vision for Phase 1 of the Thames City project. We supplied and installed over 500 metres of high-performance Fusion Flex LED strip and Neon Flex, as well as a bespoke 5.3 metre external circular lightbox to be positioned at the main entrance.

This collaboration between No Grey Area and the team at Foundry highlights how technical supply can directly contribute to award-winning placemaking, elevating both function and atmosphere through bespoke and beautifully integrated lighting solutions.

Delivery of bespoke lighting

No Grey Area delivered bespoke lighting solutions for some of the most important parts of the Thames City development.

The main entrance is the most important aspect of any building or development, with the aim of creating a welcoming environment combined with features that maximise the surroundings and aesthetic as well as ensuring functionality. No Grey Area installed a custom circular lightbox feature to define the main entrance of Thames City. Featuring Fusion Flex Dynamic LED, the lightbox provides a soft glow with tuneable white capabilities that adapt to the surrounding ambient light.

Built for changing exterior conditions, the lightbox is both functional and artistic to serve as a wayfinding and identity market but is also weatherproof and was designed with structural integrity in mind.

We also supplied and installed the bespoke lighting solutions in residential and public areas. With a number of residential amenities, public zones and outdoor courtyards, suitable indoor and outdoor lighting was necessary to enhance usability, safety and atmosphere.

Using a mix of Fusion Flex LED strip and Neon Flex LED lighting, No Grey Area installed the lighting for softly lit pathways and planting beds to warm and welcoming ambient lighting in reception and wellbeing areas. These bespoke lighting solutions were carefully placed to highlight architectural textures whilst supporting safe wayfinding and enriching the overall sensory environment.

Challenges

A project of this calibre often comes along with challenges to be faced and tackled. We were tasked with integrating lighting with dynamic landscaping elements, stone architecture and wellness-based amenities, all whilst adhering to the premium finish expectations of the Thames City residential destination during the supply and installation processes.

The experience in our team dates back many years, and with such a broad range of previously completed lighting projects, we were confident that our team could deliver.

Outcome

Ultimately, our deep product knowledge and ability to fabricate bespoke lighting solutions were a key feature in harmonising form and function across every possible detail of the lighting scope for this project.

The expertise from the No Grey Area team, combined with the collaborative teamwork with other companies and industry experts, led to Thames City becoming a multi-award winning development. At the 2025 [d]arc awards, the development was named as the Best of the Best and winner of the Spaces category.

Our contribution helped to shape the immersive lighting experience that brings warmth, clarity and rhythm to the public realm, all whilst enhancing wayfinding, highlighting landscape features and reinforcing the project’s identity long after darkness falls.

We are extremely proud to have been part of this exciting project and are honoured to have played a crucial role in helping maximise the greatness of the Thames City project thus far.

Foundry won the Best of the Best and Spaces category awards and we would like to congratulate them on this amazing achievement. It was a pleasure to work alongside Foundry during the supply and installation phases of this project.

No Grey Area can support your bespoke lighting project

At No Grey Area, we understand the importance of aligning with the latest top interior design trends or using retro and vintage influences in contemporary design interior design lighting for your bespoke lighting project.

As well as working on a [d]arc award winning residential development project like Thames City, we also offer bespoke lighting solutions for commercial spaces, human-centric lighting to create wellness spaces and healthcare environments and energy-efficient lighting solutions for schools and other educational hubs.

No matter your project, No Grey Area can support you. Contact our team to see how we can work together and bring your ideas to life.