Wolfson Dining Hall is an impressive multi functional room in St Edmund Hall, Oxford. gbs architects was appointed in conjunction with a team of specialist consultants to provide full architectural services for improving the Hall's acoustics and lighting which were both extremely poor. An elegant, integrated solution was devised in the form of a new grid pattern lighting catenary suspended beneath the existing vaulted ceiling. Prefinished panels bonded to the vaults are both sound absorbers and light reflectors to the bespoke lighting system. The grid gives flexibility to change the light pattern and light levels to suit any function. Acoustic strips applied to the existing wood panelling combine to increase the absorption and reduce reverberation and thus improve acoustics. All lighting was designed to be low maintenance and to meet current energy efficiency standards.