as per comment on post before- lighting scheme document- joe

Lavapies. Madrid
Design for communities
Groupseven.


Lighting system/


The lighting project came about due to analysis into our onsite research. The problems we highlighted were based on the sites geography and physical appearance within the landscape, and also user research in the area.

These problems were.

1) The sites physical exclusion from the surrounding area
2) The poor quality lighting on site meant that after dark the site could not be used.
3) To guide people into the site from surrounding streets.


We understood that a lighting system in conjunction with other measures we were taking could help link the site into the surrounding area and open the area up. We also felt that an exciting lighting scheme could reinforce the impression of investment in the area, and increase pride in the site.


Constraints/

We knew there would be a number of constraints on the scheme, as the costs need to be kept as low as possible. Therefore we needed to find the balance between cost of initial investment, material, and energy costs in the future.

We also wanted the scheme to be as ecologically sound as possible. Therefore taking sustainability in a wider context by making a balanced informed choice not purely based on material, but taking into account the energy needed to produce, transport, and power the lights.

We knew that a large batch of lights would need to be produced, and therefore needed a light that could be manufactured cheaply and easily from a mould.


Idea/

The design is based on an idea where the lighting guides people into the site. Therefore the lighting is dripped out into the surrounding streets.

As you get closer from the site the lights are spaced closer together and get closer to the ground, with some of the lights on site being placed on the ground mapping out pathways and entrances. The aim of this is to act as a “drip feed” into the site, which guides people down onto the site itself. Along the clear site lines we were creating through the site from surrounding streets we felt that this would give an interesting and welcoming view.

The choice of material was key as we needed it to be durable but also make the most of the energy that was available to it within the local area, so the lights become self-energising.
We chose to use photoluminescent plastic. This was for a number of reasons.

We wanted to take advantage of Madrid’s natural resources. Madrid is blessed with a great wealth of sunlight, so we wanted to utilise this to help power features on site.
We looked at solar, and how we could apply that to the lighting system. However we felt the number of components, and systems that needed to be installed, and then the time and money needed to maintain the system was not effective.

Therefore we looked at how we could use smart materials in order to create the same effect but using fewer components, both on the light itself, its energy source, and also in the casing and foundations. We decided on photoluminescent plastic as there have been recent developments in this area that have made the material far more productive. Exposure to 1,000 lux of light for 5 min provides enough energy for up to 32 hr of glow. The intensity of the light is based on how much energy is stored and therefore with Madrid’s sunlight we felt this was a viable option.

The material comes in either pellets or a resin form and therefore can be manufactured using a variety of moulding techniques relatively cheaply. Also through research we found that there were facilities in Madrid where manufacturing could be performed. Therefore only the raw materials may need to be imported.

Also as we are working with a plastic a large range of colours were available which meant we could create an eye catching and “fun” scheme.