Thorn’s versatile luminaires create well-lit spaces at King’s Stables Road, Edinburgh

Thorn Lighting has provided the external illumination for King’s Stables Road, a leading example of a successful mixed-use development in the historic city centre of Edinburgh. The chosen lighting solution includes various Urba fittings and Piazza bulkheads that blend sympathetically with the surrounding architecture.

The comprehensive redevelopment of the former council depot and an adjacent nightclub has wholly redefined a forgotten corner of the city, creating a vibrant and culturally significant quarter of Scotland’s capital. The completed development comprises of a 7-storey apartment block, a premium student accommodation scheme that includes a private roof terrace, a 4* apart-hotel that breaks down in scale to offer a series of studio apartments, garden flats and townhouses, four ground floor units which offer over 5700 sq. ft. of commercial space, all set around a series of public and semi-private courtyards.

Thorn’s Urba is a range of contemporary, economic, innovative and versatile luminaires that respects both the environment and the surroundings whilst providing an improved quality of light. The minimalist styling and clean lines with an original light signature brings more visual comfort and welcoming ambience. Urba wall mounted versions have been installed and Urba units with through wiring for the Catenary which offers unparalleled flexibility for the project. This has meant that the light can be placed exactly where it is needed, even if there is no support structure close by, reducing the intensity, light spill and energy consumption, whilst at the same time creating open and well-lit spaces. King’s Stables Road is the first catenary lighting scheme to be installed in the city of Edinburgh.

Thorn’s precision-designed LED bulkhead Piazza II LED has also been installed to put illumination precisely where it is required and nowhere else, due to its precise directional LED light source and optimal light distribution with a minimal upward light ratio of less than 2.5% (ULOR). Piazza II LED also provides an optimal 3 metre forward light throw and a wide spread to either side of the fitting, allowing wide spacing of up to 12 metres.

Improved public realm gives occupants and the wider public the opportunity to weave their way through reopened historic closes and well-lit courtyards. This experience promotes greater connectivity and features elements of historical interpretation, a result of the regular community and stakeholder engagement, enhancing the development’s sense of place and underlining the importance of considered, sustainable urban design.

Liz Leech, senior landscape architect at HarrisonStevens commented “With a strong identity, embedded in the social and urban history of King’s Stables Road, this site now offers an active, animated and dynamic urban space. The lighting forms an intrinsic part of this: the courtyard is freed from the clutter of ground-mounted lighting and design features are highlighted – all in an environmentally sound manner”.