With London Design Festival returning to the capital next month, British designer Lee Broom has announced his first Landmark commission which will be on display outside the Royal Festival Hall
Renders courtesy of Lee Broom depicting his first Landmark commission, ‘Beacon’, which will be unveiled on London’s South Bank for London Design Festival in September
Words by Roddy Clarke
Renowned for his dynamic creativity, award-winning British designer Lee Broom has revealed he will be unveiling his first ever Landmark commission for London Design Festival which takes place from 13th-22nd September. Conceived in partnership with Brokis Glass and Materials Assemble, the large-scale interactive lighting sculpture, titled ‘Beacon’, will be located at the entrance to the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. On view for the festival’s duration, it will then remain in situ until early February 2026 and will be included within the Southbank Centre’s Winter Light Festival.
Imagery courtesy of Lee Broom showcasing a portrait of the designer whose first collection was launched at London Design Festival in 2007
Made of individual lampposts arranged in a circular, tiered formation, Beacon reflects the cultural and architectural significance of the location, paying homage to the Brutalist charm of the Hayward Gallery, the postmodern architecture of the Royal Festival Hall and the South Bank’s Victorian Dolphin Street Lamps designed by George John Vulliamy in 1870. With its title alluding to the 1951 Festival of Britain that became known as a ‘beacon of change’, its site-specific references seamlessly bridge the gap between heritage and modernity.
While visually representing the beauty of Broom’s signature design aesthetic, the installation is also set to bring an immersive energy to the South Bank with it directly interacting with Big Ben, located just across the river. On the hour, as the clock strikes, each shade will be illuminated in time to a slow rhythmic cadence before building to a dramatic crescendo that will become a feast for the eyes, catching the attention of passers-by both near and far.
Visual renders courtesy of Lee Broom showcasing a closer perspective of ‘Beacon’ and its composition of individual lampposts that reference the original street lamps situated along the South Bank
Visible from across the river and numerous bridges and vantage points, the animated sculpture looks to be a great example of how design in the public realm can be appreciated by all ages, especially as the darker winter evenings allow it to radiate in all its glory. In connecting us to the history and heritage of the local surroundings, it will also become a position for new memories to occur as both tourists and locals take in the architectural spectacle. For Broom, the project holds an immensely personal story, with it being 18 years since launching his first collection at London Design Festival. ‘It is such an honour and feels like a full-circle moment,’ he comments. ‘I’ve always been hugely inspired by London and its architecture, especially the city’s Brutalist and modernist buildings and, having lived here most of my life, the Southbank Centre has long been a place of creative resonance for me.’
Harnessing his experience within the lighting design sector, Broom’s ingenuity has been paired with the expertise of materials sourcing company Materials Assemble and Brokis, the Czech innovators behind BROKISGLASS, a material developed from upcycled glass fragments. With each shade crafted from the circular material, the construction of the installation has also been designed with disassembly in mind. Upon completion of its time on South Bank, each component can be repurposed into standalone lighting fixtures or combined to form pendant chandeliers, with a portion of proceeds being donated to charity.
Visual renders courtesy of Lee Broom showing how the installation alludes to the architectural heritage of the location while also interacting with Big Ben through an interactive light performance that occurs as it strikes on the hour
In allowing the life of Beacon to be extended in this way, it also ensures the story behind it can resonate for generations to come. ‘It is a tribute to both the history and the future of this iconic location,’ says Broom while also stating how the partnership with Brokis has elevated the project. ‘Their understanding of light and form brought my vision to life with extraordinary sensitivity. I hope the installation evokes a sense of spectacle but also stirs something deeper: an emotional connection to the power of light and to the spirit of the South Bank itself.’
With Beacon set to be a highlight for this year’s edition of London Design Festival, it is a timely reminder of how design in the public realm can be a positive catalyst for community and connection. In bringing passers-by together for a moment of reflection and contemplation, it asks us to stop, pause and appreciate its visual impact without the desire to rapidly move on, as our consumption of digital media has influenced us to do so. And, in gracefully asking us to slow down, even just for a few moments, it connects us with London’s cultural and architectural heritage while provoking questions of a more sustainable and greener future: a creative expression that brings the past, present and future together through a poetic interplay of architecture, design and light.
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