Artificial Lighting- Speirs and Major

Queens Walk

The re-lighting of Queen’s Walk on London’s South Bank between the Oxo Tower and the National Theatre was initiated as part of a wider project to upgrade the structure of the embankment and improve the public realm.

About the lighting

The lighting project was carried out in two phases. The first was to refurbish the existing cast-iron ‘Sturgeon Lights’ to provide a better-lit pathway along the edge of the Thames while minimizing light spill into the river and protect the local bio-diversity. In order to retain their historical character, small perforations were made in the reflector to allow the lantern body to glow. In this way, the traditional lanterns became highly efficient streetlights but without any loss to their original form.

Festoon lighting

The second phase was to install LED festoon lights – 75% white and 25% blue – into some of the mature plane trees that line the walkway. These were viewed as a more contemporary replacement for the strings of festoon lighting that had originally hung between the Sturgeon Lights and which had interfered with the view of the river. Considerable time was spent mocking up the new LED lighting to get the density and colour balance exactly right. Care was taken to avoid any damage to the trees and ensure the scheme would be easily maintainable for years to come.

The importance of darkness

Darkness played a key part in the design of the project. Having designed a well lit route along the river’s edge, we suggested that everything else be left dark save the spill light from the trees so that walkers could appreciate the commanding view of the River Thames and the City of London beyond. The soft light cast from the trees is reminiscent of natural moonlight. This degree of darkness created a magical quality to the project which laid to rest any lingering concerns about pedestrian safety.
Had the client not bravely supported a concept in which darkness played an active role, the full potential of the lighting scheme would never have been realised. The lighting of Queens Walk has become a model not only for the rest of that stretch of the river but also for how the retention of darkness has an important role to play in public lighting. 

The scheme, which was officially switched on by the then Mayor of London Ken Livingston, has proven very popular with the public, based on feedback received, and the area continues to feel safe and inviting throughout the night.