Big Penny Social

Architecture and design

The venue’s architecture combines industrial heritage with a contemporary social spirit. Exposed structural elements and vast open-plan areas are balanced with flexible layouts that can transform from lively communal gatherings to intimate private functions. The design celebrates scale, but always with people at its heart: spaces are configured to bring communities together, while retaining versatility for the wide variety of events that Big Penny Social hosts.

Lighting refurbishment

As part of a phased refurbishment and upgrade, lighting was a critical focus. Michael Grubb Studio specified Casambi to deliver flexibility, control, and atmosphere across the sprawling site. From the bar and sports hall to the games room, event spaces, and private hire areas, Casambi-enabled DALI spotlights on track provide dynamic and efficient scene setting. A particularly clever application can be found in the pool tables area: when a customer pays for an hour’s play, the lights above the table illuminate for 55 minutes, flash three times as a five-minute warning, and then turn off after the hour is complete. This seamless automation not only improves customer experience but also optimises energy use and staff efficiency.

Casambi’s Salvador – powering flexible DALI control

The lighting solution at Big Penny Social utilised Salvador SAL-2064 units from Casambi’s Salvador Series 2000 DALI controller family. Designed to address up to 64 DALI driver addresses, the SAL-2064 enables complete integration of DALI luminaires into the Casambi wireless ecosystem. Salvador eliminates the rigidity of traditional DALI setups, allowing all connected devices to be programmed and controlled intuitively via the Casambi App. This approach delivers both scale and simplicity, making it the ideal solution for Big Penny Social’s complex and diverse lighting demands.

Casambi for full flexibility and easy control

“Casambi is integral to the successful running of Big Penny Social. The venue is 39,000 sq ft and the Casambi system is installed in every part of it. The venue has a diverse range of spaces, often running different events concurrently, multiple times a day. Casambi gives us two key functions – full flexibility and easy control. We can set the scenes we need in advance or adjust in the moment, all from our smartphones.”
— Michael-George, Founder of Big Penny Social

Big Penny Social is the perfect example

“At Atrium, we see Big Penny Social as a perfect example of how Casambi can transform a large and complex venue into an effortlessly manageable environment. The Salvador solution allowed us to bridge the gap between DALI and wireless control, giving the client a system that is as powerful as it is easy to use.”
— Bradley Wherry​​​, Casambi Brand Manager, Atrium