The Trust rewards projects that focus on their relationship with the surrounding community and environment, as well as design excellence and daytime appearance of the fittings. And that's not all: schemes also have to be energy efficient and avoid light pollution. "The short-listed schemes excel in all these aspects," says the Trust awards manager Julia Thrift.
The Royal Tweed Bridge was designed and built in the 1920s. It is one of three bridges over the Tweed and spans 428 m, with four stretching, segmental arches. The lighting scheme has transformed it into a local landmark.
Floodlights have been used to emphasis the facades and structural form of the bridge, while colour filters were added for visual impact. A control system enables the lighting effects to follow the seasons or enhance special events. During daylight hours, a minimalist approach is taken using a fibre optic system.
The second short-listed scheme centres around a development dating from Medieval times.
The Chester Rows is a network of walkways and alleyways in the heart of the city, which leads through the frontages of the buildings on the four main streets. Having survived extensive redevelopment of the area, the Rows scheme is now one of Chester's principal tourist attractions. The lighting installation designed by Lightmatters (formerly the London branch of LDP) has enhanced and "given a new lease of life to" the area.
A special luminaire was designed for the project to satisfy the need to brightly light the 50 dark, narrow staircases around the Rows, warmly wash the wall and floors of the walkways, and minimise impact on the architecture of the buildings.
Spotlights are used to highlight special features of the buildings, while a wide beam of light is projected down the narrow staircases producing a strong wash of light into the street and making the stairs more prominent.
A close competition by all accounts and a tough decision for the judges but there can be only one victor. The glowing winner of the 2001 Civic Trust Lighting Award is the illumination of the Royal Tweed Bridge by Lighting Design & Consultancy.
Julia Thrift enthused: "The Royal Tweed Bridge illumination scheme really demonstrates the way that lighting can dramatically enhance our built environment." A Commendation was awarded to the Chester Rows Lighting Enhancement Scheme in this Thorn and GE Lighting-sponsored award. The judges described the scheme as: "A truly impressive scheme and a strong contender for the Lighting Award. Particularly impressive is the way that the robust bespoke fittings have been carefully chosen to suit individual areas." The winners of all ten 2001 Civic Trust Awards were announced at a ceremony held in the Wellcome Wing of London's Science Museum on 22 March.
Source
Electrical and Mechanical Contractor
