Lighting Up Liverpool Street

In early spring 2007, May Gurney will commence an innovative scheme of lighting works on the 'glazed barrel' atrium that straddles the escalators at the Bishopsgate entrance to the busy Liverpool Street Station in London. The works form part of Network Rail's managed stations portfolio.

May Gurney was asked to come up with an innovative, maintenance-friendly solution for lighting the structure - to overcome problems with the current scheme when it comes to replacing expired lamps.

The building presently uses ceiling light fittings that can only be accessed with the use of scaffolding. This is costly and inconvenient for commuters as the scaffolding is typically erected for anything between two and four weeks at a time. It is also particularly unsightly in the vicinity of a listed building.

To overcome this challenge, May Gurney worked with specialist lighting designers and manufacturers, Ansorg Ltd, to develop an 'indirect' lighting scheme. The proposed design replaces the ceiling fittings with specialised lamps mounted at a lower level, which can be easily accessed for maintenance and replacement.

The new scheme uses a concentrated light source directed onto a ceiling-mounted, highly polished reflector, which is attached to existing stainless steel suspension units. The 'mirror' reflects light back onto the staircase and escalators below.

The lamps can be replaced during quiet periods and without inconveniencing travellers. The system also uses environmentally friendly metal halide bulbs with a narrow beam projector.

Steve Jagger, Managing Director, Engineering and Project Services, said: "May Gurney staff designed and sourced this novel lighting solution and then demonstrated the proposed scheme to the client and architects. It was on the basis of this that we received the order.

"Going forward, May Gurney intends to continue to fulfil works within the managed station portfolio. In fact, we are due to carry out additional works at Liverpool Street later in the year when we will be installing gates, railings and glazed doors, as well as delivering roof works."