5 minute read
Ribbon of Light
At Canada Dock Boardwalk in London’s Docklands, Speirs Major Light Architecture has created a sensitive and precise lighting scheme for a serpentine boardwalk.
Speirs Major Light Architecture's refined, sensitive lighting approach for the new boardwalk and seating area at Surrey Dock creates a stunning after-dark identity, balancing a vibrant, safe and welcoming experience for pedestrians with protecting the wetlands reserve's revived ecology.
The concept centers on seasonal control of intensity and color, supporting the local bat population and the local biodiversity as a whole.
The new ribbon-like boardwalk designed by Asif Khan connects Canada Water Tube station with the emerging mixed-use development around the Dock. It forms part of British Land’s Canada Water Development, which includes a Lighting Vision for the area created by SMLA in 2019.
After dark, warm white light integrated into the balustrade washes the boardwalk's distinctive, red-stained timber, highlighting its undulating form, color and materiality.
The soft, graduated wash of light onto the deck, guard rails and exterior fins is carefully tuned and controlled so pedestrians feel safe and secure, but brightness and spill light are minimized. This helps boardwalk users to better see and connect with the newly restored wetlands while limiting the impact on local ecology. Low-key lighting integrated within the benches also facilitates moments to pause and enjoy the views across the water.
Associate Partner Benz Roos comments:
'While it was a priority to ensure that pedestrians had a great experience of crossing the boardwalk, it was equally important to consider the needs of the other living inhabitants of the site. We worked hard to carefully integrate, direct and shield the light to deliver the image, ambience and functionality we wanted while limiting potential disruption and unwanted impacts. This included considering the needs of local bat, bird and insect populations in particular, the surrounding areas of natural wetlands, and the needs of the residents of planned future developments.'
'During the mock-ups, we identified the need to add a louvre to the balustrade lighting to control the reflection of the light source in the water. We also chose light sources with an appropriate spectral profile, including little to no UV light.'
The Docks area is a designated bat corridor. Working closely with the site ecologist, SMLA's lighting concept includes seasonal timed adjustments in intensity and color temperature to support the local bat population.
Roos continues:
'We created a lighting control profile specifically designed to reflect the needs of the bat population. The lighting switches on half an hour after sunset and off
half an hour before sunrise. When the bats hibernate in winter, the lighting comes on at a warm white 3000K in the evening to support commuters. It then shifts gradually over a few hours, becoming much warmer and dimmer as night falls.
During summer, the bats are active, and most commuters will be on the move during daylight hours. With the sun setting so much later, when the lighting switches on, it does so at a minimal brightness in a very warm color to minimize any impact on the bats. '
Using timber and other eco-friendly materials reflects the importance of sustainability within the project. SMLA chose to work with designer Asif Khan to detail the integration of individual, repairable luminaires, rather than an encapsulated linear fixture, in support of a circular economy.
The Southern Steps and Dock Walk provides a space for people to gather and enjoy the site through various seating areas and benches near to the water. Supporting a natural and intimate atmosphere after dark while maintaining safety and security was a key priority for this area. High-level lighting was included within the planting areas to provide functional lighting for pedestrian routes, adding low-level and integrated lighting at a more human scale to create an inviting ambience. Highlighting the color and texture of the planting and providing soft focus around the seating areas and across the steps encourages social interaction and time to dwell and enjoy the serenity of the restored urban wetlands.
SMLA Senior Partner Mark Major comments: 'This is the first major intervention realized from the Lighting Vision for Canada Water we created in 2019. It perfectly encapsulates British Land’s aspirations for the public realm after dark: A strong visual identity, sensitivity to both the natural environment and the needs of local residents, whilst delivering a safe and enjoyable pedestrian experience.'■
