Waterbury Awards
2001 IIDA Awards from the
Puget Sound Section of the IESNA

Update 08/07/2002
This project received the IESNA IIDA International Waterbury Award of Excellence for Lighting Design. Congratulations to Ross, Trish and all the design team!

The Forth Bridge
Firth of Forth, Edinburgh, Scotland

Lighting Designer(s)
Ross De Alessi MIES LC IALD, Ross De Alessi Lighting Design

Trish Connor, MIES, Ross De Alessi Lighting Design

Project Owner
Railtrack Scotland

Photography
Douglas A. Salin

Shattering records, this 1890 Victorian monument remains the world's second longest steel cantilever. Four concepts were presented: "The Dawn of Steel", a fire-like quality orchestrated at piers; "The Achievement of Engineering", highlighting the 12' diameter tube/struts; "The Honour of Construction", illuminating only internal girders; and, "The Accomplishment of Transportation", featuring trackside windscreen. For energy conservation, one concept each would burn Monday through Thursday, combining all Friday - Saturday, with Sunday dark. The Owners opted to combine the Engineering and Construction concepts.

70 - 400W improved sodium was selected for life and ability to render historic paint color. 150W shielded spots graze the Jubilee Tower revealing stonework. 400W shielded spots uplight struts, accentuating strength. Lower wattage spot and linear fixtures uplight internal sides of struts revealing shape. Linear fixtures employ half-shields without reducing output.

Architectural undulation is reinforced by highlighting taller center struts. Reduced levels progress outward. Specific mounting details and locations were required for efficient targeting. Shileds face oncoming trains, and drivers were consulted during a mock-up. 70 - 250W spot and linear fixtures feature girders. Certain lenses are backblasted, increasing short throw beam spreads. Fixtures are numbered, locked and spiked, and reference aiming diagrams maintenance schedules.

Multiple vistas are successfully rendered. Extraordinary challenges of not being local, working during restoration, and public perception were all met. Thoughtful application, shielding, and quality optics eliminated glare into the navigable waterway, garnering approval from River Pilots and Historical Agencies.

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