Tootal Buildings
- Manchester, England

Illuminating the First Floor:
Coolicon Lampshades lighting Commercial office Spaces

First crafted in 1933 for industrial spaces, now featured in Manchester’s historic Tootal Buildings, our Large Coolicon Lampshades light the first floor of this masterfully restored commercial office building. Recognised for it's architectural and historical significance, with a commitment to sustainability, it's now host to the offices of The Mayor of Manchester.

Lampshades of historic provenance

At the heart of this project is a lampshade with deep roots in British heritage. Originally manufactured in 1933 for use in factories and workshops, the iconic Coolicon Lampshade has become an enduring symbol of purposeful design; equal parts form and function.


As reference to this iconic British legacy, our Lampshades now proudly hang throughout many feature areas on the first floor of the restored Tootal Buildings, Manchester. A grade 2* building, listed for its architectural and historical significance, the Building is an emblem of Manchester’s industrial past and a fitting setting for our lampshades. Still handcrafted and enamelled in the UK today, using traditional methods that have remained largely unchanged since their invention.


While the essence of the original 1933 design has been preserved, the Large Coolicon Lampshades feature a broader reflector to cast a wider spread of task lighting. This subtle evolution ensures the lampshades meet the needs of contemporary commercial spaces whilst remaining true to their industrial roots.



Four Large Coolicon Pendant Lampshades hanging over a tiled corner bar in a small mexican-inspired Cantina Resturaunt.
Three Large Yellow Pendant Lampshades hang in a row over a tiled bar, separating the kitchen area behind it, with Yellow barstools on the other side. On the back walls is hand-painted artwork in bright colours.

Commitment to healthy light

Light affects how we feel, focus, and engage with the spaces around us. That’s why we put so much care into shaping the quality of light our lampshades deliver. The innovative vented gallery design of our Coolicon lampshades doesn’t just add character - it helps cast a softer, more efficient even glow by directing light both above and below; Reducing glare, strain on the eye, and creating a more comfortable atmosphere to work in throughout the day.


And because Coolicon Lampshades are made from durable, Vitreous Enamel, they’re built to last. Composed only of natural elements; glass frit, with minerals and oxides fused directly into the glass - it means that, unlike painted or powder coated products, Coolicon lampshades will not release VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or chemical gases into your working environment. Aligning with the Tootal Buildings' commitment to both healthy and sustainable working - under shades that are built to last a lifetime. 

Contemporary Lighting

Heritage design can be reimagined for modern workspaces. Using a mix of contemporary and classic Coolicon colours results in a space that feels grounded in its past but designed for the way we work today; practical, flexible, and full of personality.


The Large Coolicon Terracotta Lampshade is ideal for industrial spaces. Its rich, earthy tones brings warmth to the exposed raw materials like brick and steel, adding a modern twist without losing that heritage edge. It’s the perfect way to soften a space while keeping the industrial character front and centre. Paired with the subtlety of Sky Blue and Classic Cream resulting in a pairing both exciting and classical.  

Two images. The image on the left is looking through a window onto a Terracotta coloured Coolicon Lampshade. The image on the right shows a Large Terracotta Lampshade hanging over a set table, next to a window outlooking the street.
An image of the exterior of the Tootal buildings in Manchester on a sunny day.
6 Large Coolicon Lampshades hang above 2 long wooden tables in a shared commercial office space. There are 4 cushioned benches per table and a green planter to divide the space from the rest of the room.
Three large Sky Blue Coolicon lampshades hang above a marble kitchen Island. With four wooden bar stools and a blue tiled back splash at the kitchen in a commercial shared office space kitchen.
4 Large Terracotta Lampshades hang above 2 large wooden tables in a shared commercial workspace. Next to the tables is a kitchenette with black and grey cupboard doors.
An image of the exterior of the historic Tootal buildings in Manchester from a 3/4 perspective. There is a long exposure on the image to blue cars and pedestrians walking past and it is just moving to the evening.
An image of the interior lockers inside the historic Manchester Tootal Building with the logo printed in red vinyl on the side of the lockers. There is a large plant and a few sinks.

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