Glasgow Shines - 23/02/2010

Two lighting projects in Glasgow are in line for a prestigious national award. The Castlemilk Lighting Project and the Wellfield multistorey blocks in Springburn have been shortlisted in the residential category of the Lighting Design Awards 2010.

Both projects are part-funded by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) and Glasgow City Council, and have become dramatic landmarks in their respective areas, adding to Glasgow’s strong reputation for the innovative lighting of buildings.

The Castlemilk Lighting Project, pictured below, was designed and installed by Collective Architecture and Northern Light, and uses coloured LED lights installed in the windows of a stairwell in the three 19-storey Dougrie Place high rises to help residents forecast the weather.

The GHA blocks, which are among the tallest in the city, display the next day’s weather forecast from dusk until 4am, and the current weather conditions between 4am and dawn. During the hours of darkness, residents can see the temperature forecast, the predicted wind direction and the next day’s weather outlook.

The lighting system at Springburn, below, was also designed by Collective Architecture, and is projected on to one side of the Wellfield multistorey flats in Edgefauld Street and Croftbank Street. The scrolling floral pattern of lights climbs the façade of the building with the image changing every 20 minutes or so, depending on the time of year. The distinctive lighting includes a nod to Springburn’s industrial legacy, with the floral pattern based on the historic decorative designs made famous by the nearby Walter MacFarlane foundry.

Jim Sneddon, GHA’s Executive Director of Regeneration, said: “Both blocks have become real community landmarks and are very popular with tenants. We are delighted to have been nominated for this award.”

Deputy Lord Provost of Glasgow, Bailie Allan Stewart, leader of the city’s lighting strategy, said: “It is very pleasing to see both of these outstanding projects receiving recognition in this year’s Lighting Design Awards.

“Glasgow is without doubt a leader in terms of the use of light to transform the city’s appearance, with more than 100 buildings or landmarks now illuminated.”