1.7 Sub-conclusion

4.1 Design Concept

Based on our design criteria we defined the following design concepts by referring to Richard Kelly’s three components of light: focal glow, ambient luminescence and play of brilliants.

Pools of light

The first part of the concept is to create pools of light coming down from the ceiling openings, where there once might have been windows, but now have been closed off. This will enhance and build upon the already existing architecture of the underpass. As it is not possible to create actual skylights, artificial light sources will be placed in the openings, creating an illusion of spaciousness and create some visual intrigue, as well as breaking the long monotonous underpass and allow for better depth perception. Patches of light and darkness and non-uniform distribution will mimic the atmosphere of a walk in the woods.

Extending the entrances

The third part of the concept, will be to add light outside the entrances on the ramps and stairways. Similarly to the pools of light inside, external pools of light will light up the entrance, both to increase discoverability and to increase safety. Adding light outside the entrance, will also mellow out the contrast between light and dark at night time.

Interactive tracks

The second part of the concept is to use traces from the history. Sound responsive LED-lights resembling train tracks will be traced inside and outside the underpass to allude to the history, while also drawing people’s attention to lure them inside, and thereby increasing discoverability. The sound of the area will be translated into the dynamic light animation of the LED-light tracks, both as playful tool and to stimulate the senses and make the transition through the underpass more interesting.

Layers of light

Encompassing all aspects of our light design will be the implementation of layers of light. The pools of light inside and outside will create focal glow, highlighting the architecture of underpass, and distribute ambient luminescence throughout. The interactive train tracks, that are sound responsive, will serve as play of brilliants, that draws attention and adds visually intriguing effects. It represents a part of the historical heritage of the area, as well as representing the present sound scape of the space around the underpass.

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fig. 4.1: section view of design concept. 1: focal glow, 2: ambient luminescene, 3: play of brilliants