Led Lighting for a liveable city center

How do you give the city center an impulse? By thinking in an integrated way, Heijmans makes environments more liveable and sustainable. It starts with the use of an area and how multiple functions can be combined to make the public space more vital. Innovative design makes the public area more social, more beautiful and safer. And by making use of technology smartly, a climate-proof environment is created that uses energy efficiently and helps to prevent heat stress.

Since 2017, Hengelo has been busy realizing a bustling and attractive city center. This plan also includes the transformation of a dull and cluttered parking lot into an attractive event square. The municipality’s assignment was clear: the square had to become something really special.

In close collaboration with various parties, Heijmans turned the little corner that once served as a simple village square into a vital statement piece for the city.

Amazing eye-catcher

Gone are the drab gray vowels. With its warm red clinker bricks and weathering steel gutters in the road surface, the square perfectly connects with the nearby Enschedesestraat. The main eye-catcher of the square is, without a doubt, the large fountain installation. The water feature has 13 jumping fountains that spray water up to 2.5 meters high. Underneath are 39 follies, small fountains that spray the water vertically up to 1.5 meters. The spray height and rhythm of the fountains are adjustable, allowing for countless combinations.

Lighting design

Heijmans also was responsible for the design of the lighting. All lighting is executed in red, green, blue and white, which makes all kinds of combinations possible. This way, the square can be colored appropriately for every event. When it is dark, the fountain provides a fascinating spectacle and makes for a fantastic view on the square.

The lighting not only creates atmosphere, it also improves safety. For example, in the event of an emergency, bright white light can be switched on, putting the square in the spotlight.

The lighting of the Lambertus Basilica and the monumental town hall also were included in the work. These buildings are now cleverly lit and the stained glass windows of the basilica are illuminated from the inside. This makes these two beautiful buildings even more radiant in the dark and the city center is upgrades with two more ‘highlights’.

Sustainable lighting design

Sustainability has been taken into account in all aspects of the design. For example, no drinking water is used. The fountain water comes from a well under the square. Controlled by ingenious measuring equipment, the well replenishes the water that evaporates in the summer. The light that the water jets give off in fairytale colors in the dark, is fully fed by LED lighting. Furthermore, a lot of green has been added on and around the square. The weathering steel planters contain flowers, shrubs and trees that provide color all year round. These plants are also supplied with water from the source during drought.

The renovation has been well received by residents, entrepreneurs and visitors. The fountain provides cooling on summer days and is an attraction for children. The LED lighting enhances the atmosphere, events get an extra dimension and the square is a nice addition to the city center.