Speirs Major

The development of the lighting design for the façade hinged on finding an approach that would create a strong identity, while complementing the ultra-sharp language of the architecture and clarity and regularity of the joint-free glass. Multiple tests and studies were conducted to assess the effects of both daylight and artificial lighting approaches on the glass tubes and on the art within the gallery. It was crucial to ensure the solution was not compromised by unintended reflections, apparent distortion and that the light would not damage the art.

The chosen design is a neatly integrated continuous line of 4000K white LEDs set within the mullion, covered with a one-piece diffuser that runs the full 9m height. Expertly detailed in close collaboration with the façade engineers, the minuscule channel houses the LEDs, data and power cables and is sufficiently weatherproofed to withstand the challenging tropical weather conditions. Each pixel of the lighting is individually addressable to provide an ultra -high level of control, allowing the lighting effects to be delicately finessed.