Green build NEWS

Tower Bridge will be illuminated for the Jubilee and Olympics by low energy LED lamps.

The bridge’s ornate architectural details will be visible at night for the first time since its construction in 1894. The lighting scheme, by GE Lighting, was designed specifically to highlight the bridge’s aesthetics.

The creation of architect Sir Horace Jones and civil engineer Sir John Wolfe-Barry, Tower Bridge took eight years to complete. Its restoration and refurbishment comes in time for both the Queen’s Jubilee and the Games.

The new lighting scheme was integral to the overall project and as a listed monument, required detailed planning to ensure the aesthetics of the bridge were enhanced rather than altered.

More than 2 km of GE Lighting’s Tetra Contour architectural LED lighting has been installed on the stone and metal work of the bridge. The colour of lighting can be altered to reflect the mood of different occasions.

As GE Lighting is a London 2012 Sustainability Partner, a key objective of the new lighting scheme was to help improve energy efficiency.

Phil Marshall, president and CEO at GE Lighting EMEA said: “The combination of architectural and floodlight LEDs were specified to help reduce the energy used to light the bridge by up to 40 % compared with the previous system… during the London 2012 Olympics as part of the overall celebrations, there will be an evening light display every evening at 21.00pm for 15 minutes on Tower Bridge, ensuring those in the city can fully enjoy the new lighting scheme and see Tower Bridge as they never have before."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “This city is going to be watched by the world and this grand old lady of London, one of our best loved landmarks, is now set to play a sparkling role in the celebrations. But what’s more, this is another lasting legacy for stemming from the Games which will benefit the city for decades.”