Cultural institutions, universities · B2G / B2B
Institutions and public spaces
Cultural institutions, universities, schools and the managers of park grounds order illuminations together with the paperwork. We take that part on: tender materials, a schedule of elements and, where the conditions require it, structural calculations. Illuminations for public spaces are run end to end, so the façade, the courtyard, the square and the approaches share one design and one deadline.
A prestigious building has a façade composition of its own, and that composition sets out where the light goes: the rhythm of the windows, the cornice line, the axis of the entrance. Cable and façade decorations follow those lines instead of putting a pattern designed for another building onto the front. PVC needle infill makes the decoration visible in daylight too, not only after dark.
The institution’s mark is made in light — a coat of arms or a logo, scaled to the façade or to the square in front of it; the proportions and lettering are taken from the artwork the client provides. Beyond the façade come the surroundings: the courtyard, the square and the approaches are ordered by pole decorations fitted to the lamps already standing there, and in a park managed by the institution we set up displays from the Gardens of Light.
We count the deadline for a Christmas project backwards from the installation, not from the holiday. Installations on public buildings usually start in November, the bulk of the work falls in December, and dismantling runs through January and, exceptionally, February. The outcome of the procedure and approval of the design therefore have to come earlier, and large structures are best ordered as early as the summer.
Where
Typical applications
- Institutional building frontages Cable and façade decorations run along the rhythm of the windows and the axis of the entrance — with PVC needle infill they show in daylight too.
- Courtyards and squares A tree or a three-dimensional form at the natural centre of the courtyard, with room to walk right around it.
- Walkways and surrounding areas Pole decorations on the lamps along approaches and avenues, leading from the site gate right up to the door.
- Institutional mark in light A coat of arms or logo as a separate lit element — on the façade, above the entrance or freestanding on the square.
- School and nursery Motifs scaled to a school yard — by the entrance, in the courtyard and along the fence on the street side.
Scope
Services included
- Design and visualisation Bespoke illumination designs and visualisations, prepared ready for installation.
- Documentation Technical and formal documentation required for the project.
- Installation and removal Professional installation and efficient removal, whatever the site.
- Storage Secure storage that keeps decorations protected between seasons.
- Maintenance Inspections, maintenance and repairs that keep your lights running all season.
How we work
How we deliver your project
- 1 Concept and design We select the decorations and prepare a visualisation of the illuminations.
- 2 Production We manufacture the decorations, including bespoke pieces made to your specification.
- 3 Transport We deliver the decorations to your site.
- 4 Installation We install the decorations on site, working to full safety procedures.
- 5 Seasonal maintenance We inspect and repair the installation throughout the season.
- 6 Removal and storage We take the decorations down and store them between seasons.
The season steps are a quick summary — for the full process, including timeframes and the choice between buying and renting, see Working with us.
Examples
Projects
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can a historic façade be illuminated?
We do not approach such a wall with a ready-made scheme. The fixing method is proposed only once there is a specific enquiry — after the façade has been examined and what its condition and heritage protection allow has been established. The same applies to an externally insulated or glazed wall. The lighting design itself comes earlier and does not yet settle the installation technique.
What materials do you prepare for the tender?
We compile the tender materials ourselves: a layout plan, installation instructions, a schedule of elements, a visualisation and a quotation. Structural calculations are produced for us by an external engineering office; we make them available if the client asks for them or if the terms of the tender require it.
How does a decoration for a school or nursery differ?
Christmas decorations for schools and nurseries differ in scale, not in build. For a school we choose lower structures and smaller pattern dimensions, and the layout is planned so that the decoration narrows neither the approaches nor the exits. The materials and the way they are made are the same as on larger projects.
Who may be shown the visualisation you provide?
To the people who decide on the order on the client’s side — that is part of what it is for. The design remains our property and is not there for another company to build the decoration from.
Can a project be spread over several seasons?
Yes, if the composition is modular. Displays from the Gardens of Light are assembled at a scale chosen for the place, and further elements can be bought in later seasons — the first year need not cover the whole composition.
What is left once the installation is finished?
The work is closed by a signed installation report. Documentation is handed over to the extent agreed beforehand, and throughout the display the decoration stays under our service cover.
Let’s plan illuminations for institutions and public spaces
Tell us about your space and how you would like to work with us, and we will put together a proposal tailored to your needs.