Future Designs Creates The A-PLANE, For WPP’s One Southwark Bridge

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26 March 2026 | Updated 24 March 2026

Future Designs has created and engineered a bespoke lighting solution called A-PLANE for WPP, the creative transformation company.

A-PLANE is an integrated lighting and acoustic system and is a key design feature of this latest campus in the WPP real estate portfolio, One Southwark Bridge. Its stunning form is visible to any casual observer travelling across the bridge.

The designed lighting solution meets the initial architects' concept by BDG architecture + design, which placed emphasis on the need to incorporate both lighting and acoustics as integral components of the product. 

Following in-depth discussions with BDG architecture + design, Future Designs approached the brief with a design-led strategy that aimed to ensure that the overall product had a multitude of functions, incorporating both form, practicality and a delivery strategy that drastically reduced install time.  

This lighting solution is the result of an intensive eighteen month technical and design programme, which involved 2D and 3D modelling and laboratory testing for light and acoustic efficacy for these bespoke fittings. Once the team was satisfied with the feasibility phase, full scale prototypes were then built for the client’s review. Based on the client's feedback, several changes were made to the design, these include incorporating sprinklers and an additional VANE luminaire running through the centre line. Further refinements were made to aesthetically improve the design, such as chamfering all sections of the acoustic materials. 

Due to its size and scale of the bespoke fittings the A-PLANE needed to be fabricated in sections to allow access and re-assembled on-site. Purpose built assembly benches were produced to facilitate this, allowing the products to be efficiently lifted into place using genie lifts therefore streamlining the installation process. 

Future Designs fabricated two shapes – round and oval, with mechanical joints to allow for final assembly, with plug and play electrical connectors to offer both acoustic and lighting properties, and hidden panels for access to fan-coil units as well as the ability to incorporate sprinkler heads into the design. 

Due to the volume of products required for the project, Future Designs implemented a sustainable packing solution by designing bespoke crates that could be reused multiple times. This approach significantly reduced the amount of packing materials needed. The crates were engineered for tool-free access, making the loading and unloading processes efficient and straightforward. The fittings feature flexible wire suspension mounting positions, designed to overcome on-site obstacles, with bespoke setting out templates provided to enable contractors to pre-set all wire suspension positions accurately.  

To protect the acoustic material during the early stages of construction, they were wrapped in recycled protective film covering the front faces, ensuring the products remained in perfect condition until the installation was complete. 

The acoustic panels are crafted by bonding 2x12mm panels together, the underside is finished in the architect's chosen colour, while the rear panels are made from pre-used acoustic panels of identical performance, achieving a remarkable 50% reuse of materials. The top panels, made from various coloured off-cuts are hidden from view, meaning waste materials can be used without compromising the view of the installation. The lower panels, which are visible, are made from fresh sheets as the acoustic material was laminated in two layers. 

The system is designed for long-term use and reusability, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimising environmental impact. 

Future Designs has worked with BDG architecture + design on numerous WPP campus schemes including Sea Containers, Rose Court in London, as well as Manchester, Detroit, Amsterdam, Madrid, Paris and Dusseldorf.

Picture: An image of the A-PLANE at One Southwark Bridge.

Article written by Dave Mapps | Published 26 March 2026

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