This insight showcases the use of light in projects and installations ranging from bridges to sculpture, streetscapes to major London monuments. It compares the transformative effect of lighting in projects as diverse as Speirs & Major’s Croydon skyline and Tom de Paor’s A13 Pump House to landmarks such as Foster and Partner’s new Wembley Stadium and Richard Rogers Partnership’s Lloyds of London Building examining the power of light to create destinations. 

London Lights demonstrates how environments can be enhanced by lighting, our appreciation of architecture improved and our understanding of the city increased.

Colourful lights used to be just for Christmas, but more and more designers are realising that a wealth of new technology allows them to use colour in lighting to dramatic effect and re-interpret daytime architecture. The striking use of full-blooded colour and graphics on the stark concrete of Denys Lasdun's NationalTheatre building creates a contrast between the building in natural light and in artificial light that is as different as, well, day and night.

The blue metal halide lighting that Imagination used to enhance the sculptural qualities of theLloyd's Building is now ubiquitous. Over-use may sometimes lead to cliché, but as this exhibition shows, there is growing sophistication in lighting design which provides drama, celebration, excitement and theatre.Light has one great advantage over the building sit illumines. If we want to change it we can do so- at the flick of a switch.

Introduction

Projects
From the National Theatre to Peabody Housing, Silvertown

Published November 2005
7 Pages