Illuminating History with Architape Opaline RGB
At Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) 2025, the acclaimed architecture and design studio Jestico + Whiles unveiled LUMEN DRIFT—an evocative installation that transformed a poignant moment from London’s past into a beautifully lit, immersive experience. Working alongside Studio Fractal and Architainment, the project used light not only to illuminate space, but to guide visitors through an emotional and historical journey.
A Poignant Historical Narrative
LUMEN DRIFT recounts the story of Mary Moore and Ann Wade; two young girls arrested on St. John Street in 1825 for stealing fabric from a local haberdashery. Although initially sentenced to death, they were spared through the reform efforts of Elizabeth Fry and exiled to Australia instead. The installation acts as a “portal between centuries,” inviting visitors to walk through a dense forest of fabric—representing the material that sealed the girls’ fate.
Light as Storytelling
The emotional impact of LUMEN DRIFT relied heavily on the sensitivity and precision of its lighting design. Central to this were Architape Opaline RGB luminaires, Which were
re-used from the previous year’s CDW installation, embodying both creative continuity and environmental responsibility.
Studio Fractal developed a one-hour lighting programme shaping the experience through:
· Expressive transitions mirroring the shift from the cold shadows of Newgate Prison to the warmth and hope of new beginnings.
· Textural definition, using the Opaline RGB’s smooth diffusion to reveal the grain, weave, and movement of the fabric.
· Atmospheric interactivity, allowing visitors’ movements to subtly influence the lighting and deepen the sense of immersion.
The Opaline RGB luminaires’ soft, homogeneous output, high colour quality, and compact form factor made it the perfect fixture for a narrative driven by texture, emotion, and subtlety.
A Sustainable, Circular Approach
In keeping with circular design principles, the luminaires used for LUMEN DRIFT have now returned to Architape’s inventory for future use. This reuse not only reduces waste but also demonstrates how high-performance architectural lighting can be redeployed creatively year after year without sacrificing visual impact.
A Resonant Highlight of CDW
LUMEN DRIFT showcased how light, history, and materiality can converge to create an unforgettable experience. The project also demonstrated how sustainable lighting practice, through the reuse of Architape Opaline RGB luminaires, can elevate storytelling while supporting a more responsible design future.
