Princes Circus was the final public space to be delivered as part of an array of award-winning West End Projects, commissioned by Camden Borough Council, at a cost of £2.25 million. LDA Design provided the transformative Landscape Design for the West End Projects, they appointed Michael Grubb Studio to provide the Lighting Design for Princes Circus, Whitfield Gardens, Alfred Place and Huntley Street.
The ambition was to transform key neglected areas blighted by pollution, heavy vehicular traffic and anti-social behaviour into green spaces that provide the opportunity for all to dwell, relax and enjoy the newly designed, welcoming, natural habitat. The key focus across the different areas was to extend the enjoyment of the spaces after dark, create a welcoming ambience, enhancing a sense of safety and security.
Princes Circus is laid out in two triangles. The northern triangle is enjoyed by local workers and visitors frequenting the surrounding restaurants adjacent to Shaftesbury Avenue, with outside seating spilling out for use during the summer months. A procession of columns with triangular luminaires creates a wrap of warm light around the perimeter, which invites pedestrians from New Oxford Street into the newly created Princes Circus.
The lighting design to the north was inspired by the series of mature, tall trees that create a focal point and woodland area, enhanced by the distinctive woodland planting and seated areas by LDA Design. Gobo projectors discretely hidden amongst the trees, project a dappled leaf effect in cool light, creating a moonlit forest floor at the base of the trees. In contrast, warm uplights carefully directed into the high tree canopies dramatically highlight their scale and form, offering visitors an enjoyable experience during the evening.
The southern triangle presents a grand plaza, with Shaftesbury Theatre as its backdrop. A drinking fountain monument, originally installed to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, will be reinstated following its restoration and uplit by night, creating the focal point. Spotlights provide the surrounding warm ambience for theatre visitors, passers-by and people resting on the seated areas.
The challenges the studio faced were the conflicting goals of creating a lighting design which is both compliant with regulations, creative and inspiring. This challenge was overcome through creative problem-solving to meet the guidelines, with great cooperation with Camden Council and support from LDA Design. Michael Grubb Studio designed a unique gobo for the scheme to achieve the desired natural effect of dappled light.
The project also aligns with sustainability goals; the scheme limits the duration during which decorative luminaires are turned on, from dusk until 10 pm, to reduce energy use and mitigate the impact on the environment.
Previously a busy traffic route, the Princes Circus project has transformed key neglected areas blighted by pollution, heavy vehicular traffic and anti-social behaviour into green spaces that provide the opportunity for all to dwell, relax and enjoy the newly designed, welcoming, natural habitat.
