Lee Broom reinterprets 1970s glamour with modular lighting installation
The Chant Chambers transforms glass blocks into architectural lighting experiences at London Design Festival.
1Cinematic lighting environment
Lee Broom's Chant Chambers creates interconnected spaces with textured screens and wood panels, designed as an atmospheric lounge rather than a product display. The installation features modular Chant lighting in four configurations: portable lamps, wall lamps, linear pendants, and oversized chandeliers. Tactile carpeting and stone plinths enhance the 1970s-inspired surreal aesthetic. Broom specifically avoided a conventional showroom approach to demonstrate lighting's spatial transformation capabilities.
2Modular design philosophy
The installation showcases how identical cubic glass forms create different experiences through spatial repetition and configuration. Broom highlights growing client demand for adaptable lighting systems over fixed fixtures. Linear arrangements of glass-cube pendants form architectural ceiling designs, while a three-tier chandelier serves as the installation's focal point. This modularity reflects contemporary interior design's shift toward customizable lighting solutions.
3Material innovation
The 2026 iteration introduces smoked-glass finishes with deeper tones than previous versions, creating moody atmospheric effects. Broom drew from late 1970s/early 80s architecture where glass blocks were prevalent, but reinterpreted them with contemporary expressions. The darker palette maintains geometric visibility while producing alluring spaces. Material choices specifically enhance how lighting defines spatial ambiance beyond mere illumination.
4Retro trend contextualization
Broom positions his work within the 1970s design revival movement, noting increased industry interest in geometric forms and glass blocks since his 2022 Chant Chandelier debut. Unlike literal recreations, his approach updates nostalgic materials for modern contexts. The installation demonstrates how period influences can inform current lighting solutions while meeting contemporary functional requirements and aesthetic preferences.
5Spatial storytelling
The designer treats lighting as narrative elements that guide visitors through interconnected chambers. Textured vertical screens create discovery moments, with each configuration revealing new aspects of the modular system. This approach reflects Broom's belief that lighting should create ambiance first, serve as fixtures second. The theatrical presentation method has become signature to his exhibition designs.
6Designer's strategic intent
Broom deliberately uses the installation to showcase lighting's evolving role in interior architecture. By removing traditional showroom conventions, he emphasizes how lighting systems can define spatial experiences. The presentation builds on his previous light sculptures for Mexico Design Week and London Design Festival, establishing continuity in his exploration of lighting as environmental storytelling medium.
7Industry timing
The launch coincides with renewed design industry interest in 1970s aesthetics, as seen in recent hospitality projects. Broom's work contributes to this movement while addressing current demands for adaptable lighting solutions. The installation demonstrates how historical references can inform product development when filtered through contemporary design thinking and manufacturing capabilities.
8Commercial implications
The Chant Chambers ultimately presents a commercial collection through experiential design, targeting architects and interior designers. By showcasing four configurations in environmental context, Broom demonstrates the system's versatility for different applications. The installation runs during London Design Festival at his Shoreditch showroom, strategically timed with industry attendance.