Once the epicentre of military strategy, discover how The OWO – now a beacon of luxury hospitality in London – is lit by Lutron…
Since 1530, the Whitehall’s Old War Office building has served as the monarchy’s seat of power (then aptly called the Palace of Whitehall), the home of British War Office and intelligence agencies, serving as the venue for some of Sir Winston Churchill’s most iconic speeches, and the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s beloved James Bond novels.
Today, it is known as The OWO and, following an eight-year restoration led by the Hinduja Group and Onex Holding, is home to Raffles London – a meticulously reimagined luxury destination combining history with forward-thinking design.
The restored landmark now houses 120 guest rooms and suites, 85 Raffles-branded residences, 12 restaurants and bars, and the UK’s first Guerlain Spa. Behind its stately façade, a design collective – EPR Architects, dpa lighting consultants, Link Media Systems, 1508 London, Goddard Littlefair, and The Office of Thierry W Despont – has breathed new life into this Grade II-listed icon.
Image credit: John Athimaritis, courtesy of Lutron.
Rewriting the rules of heritage design
Transforming a rigid, early 20th-century office building into a vibrant hospitality space demanded both respect for history and innovation in design.
“At EPR, our design process always begins with a deep study of the existing building and its context,” explains David Scowcroft, Project Director at EPR Architects. “This understanding shapes the entire project, informing what must be preserved and which spaces deserve to be celebrated. The OWO’s unique mix of hospitality and residential uses adds to the complexity of the design, significantly influencing the evolution of its public and private spaces.”
The challenge? Turning a fortress-like layout – characterised by stone columns, turrets, and masonry – into an inviting, guest-first destination. The result is a design that celebrates contrast: old and new, grand and intimate, private and social. Embracing this, the project became richer and more meaningful, honouring history while allowing the building to be enjoyed by a new generation of visitors and guests.
Lighting has been used throughout to enhance the grandeur of the arrival experiences and the key heritage spaces…while integrating seamlessly with the new build elements in the residences.”
Lighting that tells the story
Lighting played a crucial role in shaping the mood and experience across the property.
“Lighting played a central role in this storytelling – adding dimension to suit the property’s varied uses while celebrating the charm of the existing architecture,” continued David. “Lighting has been used throughout to enhance the grandeur of the arrival experiences and the key heritage spaces, such as the Grand Staircase and second-floor state rooms, while integrating seamlessly with the new build elements in the residences.”
dpa lighting consultants worked with EPR and Link Media Systems to integrate a Lutron control system that would adapt seamlessly to The OWO’s diverse spaces.
Guest rooms: technology meets tranquillity
The guest rooms – quiet sanctuaries within the bustling city – are equipped with Lutron’s myRoom guestroom management system. From intuitive scene-setting to seamless energy-saving features, every detail has been considered to enhance comfort and control.
“As the installer, the decision to choose Lutron myRoom was driven primarily by the product’s reliability and ease of commissioning. For the hotel, the key advantages lie in delivering an exceptional guest experience, with user-friendly operation as a central focus,” says Brandon Harvey, Technical Director at Link Media Systems. “Additionally, the potential for energy savings through guest presence detection and seamless integration with hotel systems was a significant consideration.”
The guest room is the center of many hotel stays – an escape and a sanctuary. Effortless comfort, bespoke surprises, and the chance to create the perfect mood with light are the things Raffles guests return for time and time again | Image credit: John Athimaritis, courtesy of Lutron.
Visual clarity was equally important. After rigorous testing in room mockups, the team selected Palladiom keypads in Antique Brass – combining tactile elegance with functionality. Each features clearly engraved scenes (bright, soft, relaxed) and icons to accommodate an international clientele.
“Simplicity is paramount,” Harvey continues, “from the moment a guest enters the room, the lighting system should be intuitive and effortless to use, creating a welcoming atmosphere with the touch of a switch. An often-overlooked feature is the system’s ability to activate a pre-set lighting scene automatically upon entry. This eliminates the need for guests to locate a keypad in a dark, unfamiliar space – an enhancement that significantly improves the overall experience.”
Everyone has been to a hotel where they’re confused with the switches, myRoom gave us the ability to be as detailed as we needed to be in the background so that it’s quite simple for the guest to use.”
Room mockups were used to test multiple keypad styles before selecting Palladiom keypads in an Antique Brass finish. “Everyone’s been to a hotel where they’re confused with the switches,” says Michael Curry, Associate Partner at dpa lighting consultants. “myRoom gave us the ability to be as detailed as we needed to be in the background so that it’s quite simple for the guest to use. We kept it to three scenes: bright, soft, relaxed, and all off.”
Antique brass Palladiom keypads offer 21st-century room control in a sleek, timeless aesthetic, combining form and function in perfect harmony | Image credit: Link Media Systems.
The keypads combine English-language engraving with accessible icons to ensure that guests from anywhere in the world can easily understand scene selection and raise/lower adjustments. Dynamic backlighting, a unique feature of Palladiom keypads, subtly illuminates buttons based on the overall room light level, automatically dimming as the room darkens so as not to disturb a guest’s rest.
Residences and personalisation
The same level of design detail extends to the Raffles branded residences, designed by 1508 London, where owners enjoy Lutron’s HomeWorks system, allowing for deeper personalisation while maintaining the same refined aesthetic. These integrated technologies ensure consistency across the entire property, while offering flexible control for permanent residents.
Image credit: John Athimaritis, courtesy of Lutron.
Spa and social spaces: seamless transitions
Throughout The OWO’s 12 restaurants and bars – including chef Mauro Colagreco’s signature dining experience – the lighting system adapts easily to changing atmospheres and occasions. A unified Lutron dashboard gives staff and management centralised oversight, allowing real-time adjustments and system monitoring across the entire estate.
“A single, user-friendly interface for controlling and monitoring the entire property was a key priority for the client. It enables real-time monitoring of guestroom status and allows for a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential faults or issues,” adds Harvey.
Nowhere is ambience more essential than in the Guerlain Spa. Designed by Goddard Littlefair, this 27,000-square-foot sanctuary spans four floors and includes a 20-metre pool, vitality pool, nine treatment rooms, and a state-of-the-art gym. Lighting creates immersive, tailored environments for each treatment and guest journey.
Lighting in spa spaces allows therapists and aestheticians to create a custom oasis for each guest | Image credit: John Athimaritis, courtesy of Lutron.
Where heritage meets modern hospitality
Raffles London at The OWO sets a new benchmark for heritage-led hospitality. With lighting and design woven into every touchpoint -from historical corridors to sleek residences – the experience is both timeless and cutting-edge.
A celebration of history, luxury, and innovation, The OWO is more than a restoration project; it is the next chapter in a storied legacy.
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Main image credit: John Athimaritis, courtesy of Lutron
