Light Bureau complete façade lighting design for South Thames College, London

Light Bureau has completed the exterior facade illumination of the new Health & Social Care Wing at South Thames College in Wandsworth, London. Designed by architects Scott Brownrigg and constructed by BAM Construction the £100 million opened in Sep

Light Bureau has completed the exterior facade illumination of the new Health & Social Care Wing at South Thames College in Wandsworth, London. Designed by architects Scott Brownrigg and constructed by BAM Construction the £100 million opened in Sept 2009.

The exterior lighting underlines the sustainable ethos of the college, providing a night-time appearance that is dynamic and stimulating whilst remaining environmentally and socially responsible.

The simple lighting solution belies the technical planning, calculation and product design that were required to execute the lighting design.

Light Bureau explored the initial brief to 'floodlight' the building and established it would cause light pollution and trespass into classrooms and neighbouring residential properties.

Instead Light Bureau proposed a solution to illuminate the structural columns on each floor using two ground recessed colour changing LED uplights. The specifically designed luminaires provide a high level of exceptionally controlled illumination, ensuring no unnecessary light strays into the building.

Carefully calculated positioning of the adjustable LED uplights prevents the upward light distribution spilling into the atmosphere by the floor slabs & roof above.


Client: South Thames College
Completion date: Sept 2009
Architect: Scott Brownrigg
Contractor: BAM Construction
Lighting Supply: Popple Projects