the light lab installs LED integrated art wall at king’s cross london
photo © john sturrock
all images courtesy of the light lab

 

 

 

a new 90-meter long pedestrian tunnel with an LED integrated art-wall by the light lab has opened at king’s cross in london. the tunnel has been designed by allies & morrison architects and links st. pancras international and king’s cross st. pancras underground stations to the nearby public spaces, restaurants, offices and homes, via one pancras square. the tunnel’s entrance is in the north-east corner of the building, accessed through an escalator hall constructed by david chipperfield architects. it then follows a consistent curve leading to the tail end, accommodating a changing slope, into the two stations. the form of the tunnel is broken into four distinct sections, each with its own concept: the canopy, the fin section, the floor, and the integrated art wall. the inside of the tunnel is lined with repeating panels while the fin sections fill the triangular space between the canopies, allowing easy access to the service area above, and are shaped as ‘mini auditoria’ to focus attention towards the wall. the flooring echoes this idea, with ceramic tiles spread across the floor in a large triangular pattern, in two shades to create a subtle texture.

the light lab kings cross led integrated art wall
the cool steel reflects the colors of the wall
photo © john sturrock

 

 

 

the art wall, one of europe’s longest, is the main focus of the tunnel. in collaboration with lighting consultant speirs & majorthe intent was to enable an effect of seamless lighting running the length of the tunnel by placing the lights behind jointed glass panels. the LEDs themselves are capable of emanating the full RGB spectrum and also a white light spectrum from 3.0K to 6.0K, creating a subtle and beautiful, moving light show with no shadow lines. during its opening months, the wall will have a dedicated artwork on display. the piece, called ‘pipette’ by miriam sleeman of the cross kings and tom sloan, has been created to evoke the colorful tapestry of king’s cross through tranquil yet animated visuals. it has been created with the commuter’s day-to-day experience in mind and to work in harmony with the tunnel’s architecture.

the light lab kings cross led integrated art wall
light wall showing the cool white spectrum

the light lab installs LED integrated art wall at king's cross london
closeup of the subtle pastel tones in the LED art wall

the light lab installs LED integrated art wall at king's cross london
closeup of the 12mm toughened, heatsoaked glass panels

the light lab installs LED integrated art wall at king's cross london
art wall design concept by cross kings and tom sloan

the light lab installs LED integrated art wall at king's cross london
90m Light art wall designed, manufactured, and installed by the light lab

 

 

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