FX AWARDS 2016: THE WINNERS
Lighting design
Winner: Gasholder No 8, King’s Cross
by Speirs + Major
Image: James Newton
Sponsored by ATRIVM
Gasholder No 8 is the largest of the iconic gasholders that once dominated the King’s Cross skyline. This magnificent heritage structure has undergone a major offsite restoration and been repurposed as the frame to contain a new public pocket park and event space.
The lighting is designed to ensure that park users feel safe and secure as natural light fades. The circular layout of the gasholder led to the idea of using light to create both a beautiful night-time landmark and an enlivening, immersive experience inspired by the idea of a solar eclipse.
Within the pocket park, each of the canopy uprights are uplit with cool white light on the inside using a very narrow beam that enforces the architectural rhythm. The management of the lighting program is based on an astronomical time clock, with the timing of the light cycles also changing in accordance with the lunar calendar.
The judges said:
‘Would like to visit this one, enjoy the story and thought behind the lighting and its use. Looks technically brilliant as would be expected by Spiers and Major, stunning work.’
Finalists & judges' comments
National Theatre NT Future by Atelier Ten
‘A highly atmospheric scheme, using new technology to recreate Lasdun’s original vision’
Enterprise Centre, UEA by BDP
‘An exemplar of future lighting: a well considered balance between natural and artificial light’
Snowdon Street, London EC2 by Cundall Light4 and John Robertson Architects
‘The chandeliers are a spectacular artificial lighting feature’
Hilton Amsterdam Airport by Dpa Lighting Consultants for Mecanoo Architects and the Gallery HBA
‘A very creative and effective lighting design’
Blavatnik School of Government by Hoare Lea Lighting
‘Brilliant lighting design, high visual quality’
Brasenose Chapel by LAPD Consultants
‘Just looks beautiful and very considerate to the architecture and its use’
House X by Limelight Atelier
‘The building and light are one, forming one skin, working both inside and out. Pure, efficient, impressive’
Guinness Storehouse, Ireland by Mike Grubb Studio
‘Demonstrates the role that lighting can play in branding, architecture and marketing integration’
Selfridges Body Studio by Nulty
‘Excellent use of efficient lighting while retaining a high-end feel’
Sussex Cellar by Sutton Vane Associates
‘Very impressive use of fibre optics, keeping the ceiling clean yet supplying required lux levels’
