The new Western Concourse at King’s Cross railway station, London, now features roof lighting from customised Anolis ArcPad Xtreme LED fixtures with Pharos architectural control. The Western Concourse makes up part of the five-year programme to restore and improve the station, which comes as the biggest transformation in the 160-year history of the Grade-I listed building. The stunning new roof structure has been cleverly blended with the station’s heritage to create a space for passengers that is three times larger than the 1970’s concourse, with improved transport links. The lighting scheme was designed by Simon King of consultancy firm Arup. He held the position of lead mechanical, electrical and public health engineer for the King’s Cross station redevelopment project and was responsible for welcoming onboard lighting suppliers A.C. Special Projects (ACSP). Lighting needed to both contrast and blend together the old and contemporary surrounding architectures, with the original parts of the Victorian Grade-I listed building dating back to 1852. ACSP arranged several demonstrations and mockups involving different LED lighting solutions from a huge portfolio of architecture lighting brands. After consideration, 24 Anolis ArcPad Xtreme fixtures were selected for their brightness, flexibility and eco-friendly LED design. The ArcPad Xtreme fixtures are rigged on a series of special brackets below a high level walkway above the Concourse’s mezzanine floor, with their throw distances varying from about five to 20m. ACSP programmed and commissioned a Pharos LPC2 controller onsite, working to a list of events and occasions for which Network Rail required unique looks. This is linked to an overall building management system, which switches the fixtures on and off at pre-specified times and according to light levels on the Concourse. In order to produce a very strong and specific blue signature wash, ACSP liaised directly with Anolis to fit an additional blue LED chip – making the fixtures RGBB. ACSP explain that this was implemented “seamlessly” and worked “perfectly for the bespoke lighting design”. The overall King,s Cross refurbishment project was overseen by Network Rail and delivered by masterplanners and chief architects John McAslan & Partners. ACSP was commissioned directly to supply the lighting fixtures by the project’s electrical contractors, NG Bailey, who were engaged by Arup to provide all the electrical installation requirements. ACSP comment: “’It’s great for us to be involved in another London landmark project for visitors to see for years to come!”
