Coordinating with a major upgrade of Cumbernauld’s Central Way, Lightfolio have developed designs for an innovative lighting scheme that flows between the two bus stances either side of the dual carriage-way.
Following an intensive research period and site assessment, it was deemed imperative to inject light and colour into the otherwise dark,
depressing and cavernous space, providing interest and visual relief.
The chosen concept has roots in the town’s origins - Cumbernauld, originally Comar nan alt, means ‘the meeting of the waters’, referring to the site where tributaries of the Forth and Clyde rivers meet. One of these is called the Red Burn and thus dictated the core colour scheme of red through to blue.
The flow of light mirrors this meeting of the waters across the vast undercroft of the town centre building. The pattern also visually connects the two bus stances and alludes to the pathway between them via the shopping centre above.
Given the challenging site, a custom catenary light scheme was developed that safely suspends a network of individually addressable LEDs above the busy road below. The lights are fully colour-changeable and can animate patterns across the ceiling. It is planned that an interface will be installed, whereby members of the public can interact with the artwork and affect the colour, speed and animation.
