Tranquil. Urban. London. Three words seemingly in conflict. In truth, they blend seamlessly at Exchange Square, a new city park set above the tracks of the Liverpool Street Station. In crafting the after-dark experience, lighting design studio Speirs Major relied on a blend of light and darkness that reveals the multi-level topography and curved landscape elements, while supporting intuitive wayfinding and ease of access. Crucial to the design was to leverage the texture, color and movement in the foliage, stone, wood and water—a gentle respite from the surrounding glass, steel and concrete.
Indeed, the park emphasizes well-being and open access, as Speirs Major kept much of the lighting at a low height, preserving an intimate ambience that encourages easy social interaction. At the perimeter, light for circulation is provided from columns at a human scale while low-level bollards reveal the internal routes and low-level planting. Across the multi-level site, light is integrated within landscape elements to improve legibility. An even wash reveals the dark metal vertical face of the curving “ribbon” retaining wall that runs through the park, while the slatted timber benches that sit up above the wall are softly lit from beneath. Slots cut into the faces of the terrazzo step-seating and water features also contain hidden light sources, creating “mesmerizing patterns” and ever-changing ripples, as the firm characterizes them.
The tallest elements in the park are two rows of mature silver birch trees that are lit from within to create shifting patterns of rustling foliage and branches on the ground.
The color of the light adjusts tonally with each season, with warmer white light enhancing the rich autumn leaves and bare wooden branches in winter, and cooler white light celebrating the green buds and vibrant leaves of spring and summer.
Associate Partner Benz Roos explains: “Our lighting design focuses on enhancing the sensoryaspects of the park design, including the natural textures and changing colors of the planting, and the movement of wind and water. We aimed to encourage people to slow down, take note of their beautiful surroundings, and enjoy a moment of serenity in the city.”