Lighting Designed Around Architecture and Brand
The Coors Bar at this year’s Grand National at Aintree featured a striking interior layout, incorporating natural timber slat walls alongside iconic, snow-capped mountain graphics. Rather than treating the event lighting as a standalone element, the objective was to integrate it directly into the architecture of the bar.
The lighting design was carefully positioned vertically within the wooden slats, emphasising the structure of the counter and drawing attention to the branding. The result is a clean, linear glow that complements the timber design while highlighting the premium, high-energy aesthetic of the space.
Impact of Colour and Brand Identity
Colour plays a crucial role in how a hospitality environment feels and how a brand is perceived.
In this installation, the specific use of DarkMatters Neon Blue (102.275) and Cool White 4700K-5500K (102.272) perfectly captures the 'ice-cold' identity of the Coors brand. The vivid blue and crisp white tones support a vibrant, refreshing atmosphere, effortlessly shifting the bar's presence from a subtle daytime setup to an engaging, illuminated focal point as the event progresses.
Images from the Installation
Seamless LED Integration for a Clean Aesthetic
To achieve the continuous, uninterrupted lighting required for this high-profile project, we utilised our DarkMatters Slat Wall Neon strips.
These 24V, 24W high-performance LED strips were selected for their ability to deliver smooth, consistent, dot-free illumination. Designed specifically for acoustic panelling, they feature a 13mm friction-fit design, allowing them to be installed rapidly without the need for tools or soldering. Crucially, the strips feature a sleek black-finished design. This means they blend seamlessly into the slat walls and become completely invisible when switched off, preserving the natural character of the timber during the day.
Operating in a busy event environment like the Grand National requires durability. The DarkMatters strips are IP67 waterproof with a dust-resistant diffuser, ensuring reliable, uninterrupted light output despite the high-traffic bar setting. Furthermore, their cut-anywhere design allowed the installation team to achieve a custom fit in minutes.
Smart Control and Adaptability
A key requirement of an event space is flexibility. The DarkMatters system is fully compatible with our smart control solutions, allowing staff to easily adjust the bar's lighting. Whether using the DarkMatters 3-button dimmer, dedicated RF handset, or the Tuya WiFi app, brightness levels can be adapted instantly to suit the time of day or the mood of the crowd.
This installation highlights how thoughtful specification can completely transform a temporary event space. By combining integrated slat wall lighting techniques with advanced LED technology, the Coors Bar at Aintree benefits from a visually striking and deeply immersive brand environment.
Products used on this installation
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