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A WALK IN THE DARK
BRIGHT IDEAS IN RETAIL LIGHTING
Brian Tracey, Director at Leslie Jones Architecture said:
“In our design solutions for Friars Walk, we required the exterior stainless steel and glass
out was correct for the installation before
proceeding.
balustrade and façades to contribute towards elevating the centre’s night-time economy. The vast experience of The Light Lab’s on-
To achieve this, we adopted The Light Lab’s new technology to provide an exciting and site team was integral to the construction
energetic character to the centre’s public realm. Not only does it bring Friars Walk to life at as the project required great precision
night , extending the dwell time of shoppers, but it also allows for visual connectivity between and accuracy when setting out and fixing
the upper and lower external areas of the centre. This ensures shoppers can easily navigate a feature of such size. Although extreme
through the centre, capitalizing on the diversity of retail and leisure available.” weather conditions set out to hinder the
build, the team persevered and adapted
Designed by Leslie Jones Architecture the team were briefed with the client’s professionally in order to program the
on behalf of Queensberry Real Estate, requirements for a colour-changing installation. The team ensured that the
Friars Walk opened its doors to the public illumination that started from the plaza’s finished product would give full control
in November 2015. The Light Lab team handrail down and was structurally capable over the RGB illumination, allowing for
were tasked with the manufacture and of meeting assembly loads for crowded coloured pavements with a selection of
installation of 186 metres of illuminating public areas. The balustrades were pre-set colours as required.
glass balustrade to the line the edge of required to feature both faceted and curved Friars Walk, a £1117 million retail and sections, adding to the design challenge. The result was a display of impactful
leisure development. The now iconic
390,000 sq ft destination was developed
in line with Newport city centre’s ongoing
regeneration and serves to reconnect an
unheeded area with the rest of the city.
Following an invitation from Leslie Jones,
lighting that served to bring a long-lasting
The Light Lab approached the project burst of energy to the building’s exterior.
inspired by their previous work on 97 Friars Walk is now set to make a mark on
Uxbridge Road and enlisted the help of the city centre as one of its most iconic
an expert team of structural consultants buildings.
who ensured the manufacture and set www.thelightlab.com