LIGHT + TECH 91
BOARDWALK, SURREY DOCK, CANADA WATER, LONDON SPEIRS MAJOR LIGHT ARCHITECTURE (SMLA)
The white light scheme for a new boardwalk at Surrey Dock orchestrates the light towards the warm end of the spectrum, complementing the red structure and also tuning the lit effect to the needs of local wildlife in the newly restored wetlands reserve. The docks area is a designated bat corridor. ‘The concept centres on seasonal control of intensity and colour, supporting the local bat population and the local biodiversity as a whole,’ says SMLA. 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 form and colour. Soft, graduated light washes the deck, guard rails and exterior fins. It is carefully tuned and controlled so that pedestrians feel safe, while minimising brightness and spill light. It also enables them to better see and connect with the wetlands while limiting the impact on local ecology.
Working closely with the site ecologist, SMLA’s lighting concept includes seasonal
timed adjustments in intensity and colour temperature to support the local bat population, and also consider the needs of local bird and insect populations. ‘We created a lighting control profile specifically designed to reflect the needs of the bat population,’ says associate partner Benz Roos. 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 for commuters and 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,’ explains Roos. ‘With the sun setting so much later, when the lighting switches on, it does so at a minimal brightness in a very warm colour to minimise any impact on the bats.’ Emphasising the red end of the light spectrum while minimising ultraviolet light at the other end was as crucial as avoiding light spill. ‘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,’ says Roos. ‘We also chose light sources with an appropriate spectral profile, including little to no UV light.’
PHOTOS: LUKE HAYES
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