A complex linear structure requires a no less complex lighting framework

A complex linear structure requires a no less complex lighting framework: on the example of the water bridges of Nizhny Novgorod, the company Svet Expert will tell how to develop and implement the concept of architectural bridge lighting, which principles and rules it is recommended to follow when choosing a lighting effect, what subtleties it is required to pay attention to and what problems a lighting specialist may face when facing the task of illuminating the structure of a kilometer-long bridge.

It is commonly believed that architectural and artistic lighting is the prerogative of monuments and buildings, objects of cultural heritage and clergy, historical streets and cozy houses. But this is not so. Any technically complex engineering structure, be it a television tower or a car interchange, also needs a night frame of light. In this article, we will tell you what lighting principles should be guided when working with a water bridge structure. We will give examples of completed objects, as well as bridges, the authors of light concepts of which are specialists from Svet Expert.

“All construction structures participate in the city-forming formation of the city’s appearance, which requires the mandatory inclusion of such objects in a single urban lighting master plan.” - says the General Director of the Svet Expert company. - Along with the objects of the coastline, the central streets and sculptures-monuments of Nizhny Novgorod, in preparation for the anniversary of the city, we have developed concepts for lighting water bridges: Kanavinsky, Myzinsky and Molitovsky. I would like to pay special attention to the first permanent water bridge of Nizhny Novgorod - Kanavinsky. The Kanavinsky Bridge is a seven-span arch-type road bridge. It is the most important, first bridge of Nizhny Novgorod, built at the place where the Oka flows into the Volga. In addition to its historical and cultural significance, the bridge is known for being viewed from most observation points and forms the appearance of the city, acting as a landmark. By the time we started developing a conceptual solution for lighting the bridge, we had already completed the artistic design part of the Nizhnevolzhskaya embankment and a number of central Nizhny Novgorod streets. Our task was to harmoniously and technically correctly tie the lighting solution used on the historical buildings of the embankment, and to frame the massive thousand-tonne bridge with light.

Our author’s concept provides for the flood lighting of the dynamic type of the pile foundation and the free structures of the bridge, as well as linear accent lighting of the structure along the entire length of the above-water part of the structure. The content of dynamic illumination implies the use of smooth color overflows with a number of bright scenarios provided specifically for the celebration of the anniversary of the city.”

“The successful implementation of dynamic lighting of a linear object of great length fully depends on the quality of the pre-design survey work and the design stage itself,” says the chief engineer of the project of the company Svet Expert. - The most important thing is to deal with the external networks and communications of the city, to determine the method of bringing additional electricity, since the decorative lighting system of one bridge consumes, on average, 100-150 kW of electricity. As for the lighting equipment used, it must be of a special design that can withstand operating conditions and an aggressive aquatic environment. All equipment must necessarily undergo laboratory tests for increased vibration resistance. In addition, all light sources used on bridge structures must be equipped with special anti-dazzle grilles and anti-vandal protective casings, inside which connecting connectors, power supplies and supply cable routes are hidden. An interesting feature of the light-dynamic programming of water-type bridges is the special exclusion of certain colors and spectra associated with the intersection of the color of signaling shipping lights. Any project solution with a detailed description of the conceived scenarios must necessarily be agreed upon in the regional Ministry of Transport.”

The company Svet Expert has developed and implemented architectural and artistic lighting for a number of water and land bridges. The experience and responsible approach of the company’s specialists will ensure the competent execution of the design solution, in which the monumental technological structure of the Kanavinsky Bridge will become a bright show, light center and point of attraction in the solemn celebration of the jubilee of the city of Nizhny Novgorod.