F1® Arcade BIRMINGHAM
James Hunt, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel. Lewis Hamilton.
Racing purists would argue F1 is only ever about pit lane drama and battles for the podium. Our latest project would seek to satisfy the needs of the most ardent of F1 fans, all from the luxury of a prestigious hospitality space and glamorous new gaming venue in the heart of Birmingham.
Victoria Jerram Lighting Design were asked to return to work with the original design team from the first F1 Arcade venue in London, to deliver the lighting design for an equally exuberant and lavish new F1 Arcade space. The new venue would offer guests the opportunity to experience the thrill of high-octane action on a virtual circuit, as well as get a feel for the rich history of F1 amidst a backdrop of sophistication and elegance.
Client: F1® Arcade
Construction Management: Archetypely
Interior Design: Anamo Design Studio
Architect: NDBA Architects
Photography: Courtesy of F1® Arcade
Dramatic interiors, impactful graphics and an industrial glamour feel, typify the style of this latest F1 Arcade space in Birmingham. F1 brand coloured lighting in pink, red and purple adorns the walls and ceiling of the gaming area, adding excitement and energy to the room and ensuring gamers feel alert at the immersive racing simulators.
There were many design complexities to this project, from working with three different joiners, to balancing a palette of diverse lighting sources from ambient track spots, to indirect concealed lighting, alongside the installation of a dynamic gobo projector to create extra “son et lumiere” effects which was then synchronised with a DJ desk.
Perhaps the most challenging task of all, was the late addition of a life size replica F1 car, mounted onto the ceiling in front of the cocktail bar, three weeks before project completion. The replica car would ultimately be what customers coming into the space would return to see. Coloured filters were added to the vehicle floodlighting to emphasis the bespoke livery of the car as well as the sleeks lines and form of the chassis.
