For the Infinity Bridge, Stockton-on Tees, light is programmed to respond to the presence of people, guiding them down the walkway or signalling the approach of oncomers.
Social Connections
Lighting design is the key to making the post-twilight world feel both safe and special. By realising the creative opportunities that light offers after dark, we can encourage people to dwell and socialise at times and in places where they may not otherwise have felt comfortable.
The pools of warm light surrounding the benches in Elephant Park, London, are popular places for people to gather and socialise after dark. In a busy urban city, these opportunities for social interaction are increasingly essential. The clever use of light makes people feel safe using them at night, while the park as a whole is not overlit.
Our designs are often playful and interactive, promoting a sense of community and togetherness that contributes to the success of public space. The quality of light can create a sense of intimacy that makes people feel relaxed and encourages social activities.
The colour temperature, intensity and distribution of light all contribute to how people feel and behave. In the Jewish Community Centre, London the warm colour temperature, soft lighting levels and zones of pooled light create a sense of intimacy, helping to make visitors feel relaxed and more comfortable to socialise.
Direct Connections
Research has shown that offering people some level of direct control over their lit environment fosters a positive sense of connection. In shared spaces, however, this can be impractical to achieve, as conflicting personal preferences over light levels and colour temperature can negatively affect the cohesiveness of a design. Instead, we look to provide a sense of agency through individual localised control where possible, for example, desk or reading lights combined with a lowered overall ambient level, a choice of lighting scenes, or responsive or interactive lighting.
In the Maggie's Centre, Newcastle, visitors can control individual reading lights in the library and the lighting within each room, allowing them to tune the atmosphere to their needs and promoting a more relaxed experience.
For the Infinity Bridge, Stockton-on Tees, light is programmed to respond to the presence of people, guiding them down the walkway or signalling the approach of oncomers.
As people pass, sensors trigger a change in lighting from blue to white, leaving a 'comet's' trail of light in their wake.