7 Leeuwarden, new life for a monument with architectural lighting

7.1 Leeuwarden station train hall

Leeuwarden station is a national monument and boasts an impressive monumental station train hall, just like Groningen station. Next to the train hall, NS operates a ticket and service desk and several commercial spaces. In order to attract customers, NS always wants more light in commercial zones than prescribed by the standard. Due to the difference in illuminance between the train hall and the commercial zone, the train hall always seemed dark while meeting the standard with a margin.

In 2018, Leeuwarden was the cultural capital of Europe. For that reason, several ProRail projects in the vicinity of the station had to be completed before 2018. This included the underground bicycle parking, renewing the 150-year-old platform canopies and also replacement of the lighting in the train hall.

During the day, the train hall is illuminated at almost the same level as the commercial zone and the difference is no longer visible. We replaced the lighting in the train hall with adjustable LED lighting. The ceiling and walls are illuminated with indirect light, which improves the visibility of the paintings and masonry. During the day, the output of the indirect lighting is higher and in a lighter colour than at night.

Tips and conclusions:

– Involve a light architect, especially for monuments.

A light architect will have to be held back at times, but do retain the foundation of their ideas.

7.2 Leeuwarden canopy

Adjustable LED lighting was also installed under the canopy between the train hall and the platforms. A somewhat homier atmosphere was achieved by installing ‘table lamps’. The monumental canopy was coated with a new layer of paint and its illumination has been improved. The canopy is covered with poems intended to draw the travellers’ attention. The canopy is slightly less illuminated at night than during the day (when it is lighter outside as well, see photos).

Tips and conclusions:

– Lighting a freshly painted monumental canopy works perfectly.

– Be sure that the canopy is lit evenly without blinding the passengers.

– The poems on the canopy do not attract as much attention as expected, the effect is disappointing.

– The table lamps look great but are vulnerable (have been removed).