Six urban settings were transformed into glowing examples of lighting design last month for the UK's first European Lighting Designers' Association workshop. Groups of students worked with internationally acclaimed lighting experts to create the works, which lit up Birmingham's Eastside area and went on show to the public for two weeks. The educational event was organised by Martin Lupton, director of BDP Lighting, whose teaching trip to Sweden inspired the creations.

Site 1: The Railway Bridges

Students who created this scheme were led by Silvo Kacar from Slovenia, a principal of Arcadia Lightwear in Lubljana. The team was inspired by the idea that the railway line is an artery, carrying the lifeblood into the city. Pulsing red light represented a heartbeat in each tunnel, contrasting with the cool blue of the bridge exterior. The ‘beating' of the red light was created with Exterior 200 colour changes from Martin Professional controlled from a DMX playback unit programmed by Alan Frost of Martin Professional, who worked with two of the groups all week.

Site 2: The Bullring underpass

Though not designed as a public way, the underpass has become well used and is now open for pedestrians. Lead designer for this site was Tim Downey, director of Pinniger & Partners. His brief to the students was to be inspired by the art of Dan Flavin. Colour and light were created using coloured fluorescent luminaires from Zumtobel, a restricted palate of gels from Rosco and a number of colour-changing LED luminaires from Color Kinetics. The colour-changing sequence was programmed by Neil Gamble, director of European sales for colour kinetics.

Site 3: River Street

Lead lighting designer Ralph Kensmann chose this site because he felt it represented the true architectural style of Eastside, with its dragon's teeth roof line. The students decided to illuminate the rise and fall of the building by illuminating the undulation of the roof structure. The window reveals of the medical mission are lit with fluorescent luminaires from iGuzzini. The dramatic pool of light at the focal point of the triangular plan buildings was created by a narrow beam We-ef projector with a 150W ceramic metal halide lamp.

Site 4: The Viaduct

A masterpiece of Victorian engineering, this landmark structure provides a wealth of gateways and hidden vaulted spaces. The installation demonstrates how light can create gateways for major routes as well as highlight fascinating structures. Court Vermilion, from Belgium, is a leading lighting designer for international events, fashion shows and theatre. His theatrical style and selection of dynamic luminaires led his group to create an innovative spectacle, playing a series of seven short shows - one by each of the students in the group.

Site 5: The Custard Factory

This home for many small design practices, artists and craftsmen has a legal graffiti site in the car park showcasing work by many of Birmingham's leading graffiti artists. Subtle lighting to the graffiti was supported by layers of lighting on to, and within, the main building, and the dramatic red lighting of the chimney. A combination of We-ef and iGuzzini projectors plus Philips LEDlines were used. The team was led by Enrique Peiniger from New York, who heads the Office for Visual Interaction and is best known for the lighting design in the new Scottish Parliament.

Site 6: The Typhoo Basin

Tea was blended and then distributed by road and canal for more than 100 years from this location. This installation highlights the traditional industrial buildings, the reflective qualities of the water and the isolated groups of vegetation that colonise this derelict space. Underwater luminaires conjure a green tint that is mirrored in green light inside the building and then reflected in water. Heading this group was Annuka Larsen from Finland. She teaches lighting design in Finland and Germany, as well as practising lighting design in her home country.

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Building Sustainable Design