As we were asked to work in such a place as the Jacques Gabriel Bridge in Blois, it was particularly important, for us, to take into account the historical, heritage and architectural context as well as the exceptional natural heritage that the Loire Valley is (Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
A link between sky and water …
In order to respect the balance of this piece of architecture, emblematic of the 18th century, we wanted the lighting project to bring together these two horizontal and vertical elements, emblematic of a Bridge, resonating with its essence : For the horizontal one, the passage of a river bank to the other and its architectural structure and, for the vertical one, the rhythm of the piers, anchoring to the “ground”, in the bed of the river, which allows its construction.
This is why an underline work reveals the apron, on the one hand, and the volume of the piers on the other, in an approach respectful of the environment and biodiversity because the light flows are not directed towards the water.
A project integrating the preservation of biodiversity in its very essence …
To this end, we have worked on a « fanned out » effect, from the sides of the piers, an effect gently decreasing to the central part, the thinner of the arches, a little more submerged in the shade, allowing to read the continuity of the apron.
This effect is articulated with the lighting of the piers heads (anchoring), in order to emphasize the two horizontal and vertical elements, and a slight luminous glaze effect, produced from the sides, delicately harmonizes the shadows.
So, on the bridge, no source points directly towards the water.
Light and Colour, a choice geared towards respecting the site’s ecosystem …
On the other hand, we worked on the colour range of the project by adapting it to the species living onsite (biodiversity) and their seasonality. It evolves between winter and summer. From a dynamic scenario in warm white-apricot-mauve over the period of use in winter (nightfall / 10:30 p.m.), to a much slower and gradual evolution of an « heritage warm white » to an « apricot », in summer, which is also the period of nesting and reproduction.
So, in summer the transition is very smooth, going from the « heritage warm-white » at the ignition to gradually evolve to apricot at 10:30 p.m. which remains until switch off, to adapt to this particularly sensitive period.
As a result, colour and dynamic lighting have been dedicated to the preservation of biodiversity, to offer a delicate image of the Jacques Gabriel Bridge.
