Lighting project of the year

Buro Happold in conjunction with Speirs and Major
The Millennium Dome is the highest profile construction project of the year. Under constant scrutiny from politicians, construction professionals and a sceptical public, the project nevertheless met the most immovable build deadline in history.

Necessarily, the Dome's lighting design is a real tour de force. Devised by consulting engineer Buro Happold in conjunction with the celebrated specialist lighting consultancy Speirs and Major, the scheme comprises: external architectural lighting to the structure (including the masts, perimeter zones, main entrance piazza and river access pontoon) and internal architectural lighting to the structure's inner skin, the core buildings, the promenade, central arena and its lighting towers.

Narrow beam metal halides, arrays of light-emitting diodes and gobo projectors are all used to stunning effect, the ambient lighting remaining suitably minimalist when viewed against the central area's show lighting.

Plant cylinders encircling the Dome have been brought to life by red dichroic filters, while 1000 W projectors illuminate the Dome's inner skin.

and the runners-up...

Max Fordham & Partners
The North Greenwich Transport Interchange is the main access point for visitors to the Dome. The Norman Foster-conceived terminal demanded a lighting scheme that would provide a constant ceiling illuminance.

The Millennium Dome’s lighting design makes for some indelible images. A major project and an icon

Judges’ comment

The final design by Max Fordham & Partners uses bespoke twin optics with variable CDM-T up and downlights, yielding energy savings in the region of 85%.

S&P
S&P is an architectural practice specialising in the design of retail and leisure facilities. For the Glasshoughton scheme, the firm was tasked with designing a retail park encompassing a central leisure and entertainment zone.

The scheme's stunning lighting design, worked up alongside Thorn Lighting, features an innovative 600 m fibre optic light stream for the pedestrian walkways.

Zumtobel Staff Lighting
Renowned for its innovative approach to luminaire design, Austrian concern Zumtobel Staff had to devise a series of 'specials' for the Sir Alexander Fleming building, a scientific research/learning centre at Imperial College.