solvesborg bridge

source: designboom
brightly illuminating the ‘sölvesborg bridge’, swedish design firm ljusarkitektur has developed a unique lighting scheme to enhance its landmark status. the use of color changing LED fixtures from lumenpulse graze the suspension cables of what is considered europe’s longest bicycle and pedestrian viaduct. highlighting the distinctive arches, the pieces were mounted on the outside of the 756 meter long structure. the overall design was achieved without impacting on the local wildlife – to limit glare, the firm integrated deep, custom glare shields, which also hide the light sources. influenced by the surrounding fauna and flora, ljusarkitektur pushed the fixtures’ flexibility and controllability to program different color sequences throughout the year. managing to be both dynamic and understated, the glowing, reflective installation has turned the bridge into an attraction in its own right.
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source: ljusarkitektur

Ljusarkitektur is an award-winning professional lighting design firm based in Stockholm, Sweden. Founded by Kai Piippo in 1991, in August 2013 Ljusarkitektur and ÅF Lighting joined forces and created Scandinavias biggest company in Lighting Design and Lighting Consultance. Ljusarkitektur is known for creating unique and successful lighting design concepts for a variety of clients worldwide. These include hotels and resorts, retail outlets, restaurants, museums, offices, private homes, and small- and large-scale urban planning projects.

Ljusarkitektur’s principal market is the Nordic region – Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark – but the company has completed prestigious projects in the United States, China, Germany and Dubai.
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source: lumenpulse

Built in 2012, the Sölvesborg Bridge reaches across the bay of Sölvesborg, connecting the center of this sleepy Swedish town with a new housing district. At 756 meters long, it is the longest bicycle and pedestrian bridge in Europe, its three distinctive support arches – made from over 150 tons of duplex stainless steel – visible from a great distance.

Working closely with the municipality, design firm Ljusarkitektur set out to develop a lighting scheme that would enhance the bridge’s landmark status, without leaving a negative impact on the local habitat.

“We always work from the human perspective and experience, but in this case the surrounding natural area was also important to consider. There is a rich birdlife in the area that we didn’t want to disturb,” says Lina Färje, lighting designer at Ljusarkitektur.

In order to be as inconspicuous as possible, Ljusarkitektur turned to Lumenpulse LED technology. “We’ve had good experiences with Lumenpulse on previous projects, and when tested, their fixtures delivered the results we wanted,” Färje says.

The firm selected just 24 Lumenfacade Color Changing luminaires with a narrow optic to graze the suspension cables and light the distinctive arches. The fixtures were mounted on the outside of the bridge, to the bottom of the cables. To hide the light sources and shield pedestrians and residents from glare, the firm designed deep, custom glare shields.

“We worked to create a subtle lighting on the inside of the arches, but we also enhanced the nature around it, lighting the trees and reeds at special points and working with reflections in the water,” Färje says.

Fittingly, Ljusarkitektur looked to the area’s wildlife for further inspiration, exploiting the fixtures’ flexibility and controllability to program different color sequences throughout the year.

“Colours are preprogrammed for different scenarios inspired by the birdlife in the area. There are also special scenarios for different events in the city,” Färje says.

Managing to be both dynamic and understated, the lighting design has turned the bridge into an attraction for tourists, and even given residents a new perspective on their town.

“There has been a very positive response,” Färje says, “It helps people experience the city in a different way.”