London's "Union Market" is a new and unique food retail concept located in a restored London Underground ticket hall dating back to 1925. The market is equipped with state-of-the-art 21st century lighting technology from BARO. The brief was to combine the atmosphere and authenticity of old farmers' markets with the convenience and product assortment of a modern supermarket. A particular challenge for the BARO lighting concept was to create a sensory lighting experience whilst also capturing the nostalgic atmosphere of a traditional London market hall. Top priority was given to product-specific lighting in order to display fresh food products to best advantage, whilst minimising damage.
BARO Lighting U.K. developed the lighting solution in cooperation with a local and highly acclaimed interior design specialist who was responsible for recreating the original retail environment. Ten different retail outlets were to be created under one very architecturally challenging roof. These included delicatessen, meat, bakery, cheese, general groceries, wine, tea and coffee. To add to the nostalgic atmosphere the client wished to utilise a number of 1950s white enamelled pendants, salvaged from the former headquarters of the tyre manufacturer Dunlop. These were fitted with standard BARO reflectors. The pendants were given track adapters and suspended from steel cables, harmoniously integrating them into the innovative lighting solution. BARO BFL (BARO Food Light) light sources were selected to illuminate the fresh food products, and the general grocery and non-food assortments were presented with BBS (BARO Bright Star) light sources. Various luminaire designs were utilised to bring out the innovative lighting concept, for example Ontero-Arondo, Ontero-Econdo and Ontero-Bondo ceiling luminaires and the recessed luminaire Intara-Caronda.
The combination of nostalgic market tradition and innovative lighting technology was perfectly implemented. The solution accomplished by BARO is characterised by perfect product presentation and maximum energy efficiency which lead to low operating and maintenance costs.
