When you need to light an area to a sufficient standard, many people might think that the more fittings you install, the greater both the light levels and impact will be. However, a project in London has shown this to be far from the case.
In Gordon and Bereford Squares in Woolwich, the light levels used to be so poor that residents confessed to avoiding the area entirely once the sun had gone down, for safety reasons.
Responding to these claims, the police ramped up lighting levels in the area, under the assumption that more light would send vandals and troublemakers scarpering to the shadows and thereby restore residents' feelings of security, Lighting Magazine reported.
However, increasing the wattage in this way actually had a counterintuitive effect - in addition to the colossal amount of energy wasted by employing such a so-called solution.
This was because it actually created a greater contrast of light in the area, which meant people avoided the squares even more because the surrounding area was so bright that the squares appeared even darker than they did before.
Lighting design company LAPD was therefore drafted in to fix the situation and find a viable solution to the problem.
By removing such a great number of fittings and installing more cleverly positioned, better quality units, the area has been transformed and - although originally unsure about the idea of reducing the lighting in order to improve the area - the council is said to be "absolutely delighted" with the results.
Innovative projector lighting illuminates the spaces through the trees, a network of wire-mounted lights cast rays without the need for numerous masts cluttering the space and linear LED strips are fitted underneath stepped areas, creating aesthetic interest as well as serving a practical purpose.
This is a classic example of how installing new outdoor lighting does not need to be an overly complicated process. A few cleverly designed and carefully positioned lights can completely transform a space.
