Is it time to let cat(enary) lighting out the bag?

A popular lighting solution in Europe, catenary lighting is yet to fully make its mark in the United Kingdom. Decluttering streets, precision illumination, enhanced security, visual interest and creating ambience are some of the advantages of this lighting style. So, why doesn’t it feature more prominently in the UK? 

What is catenary lighting, and where is it popular?

Catenary lighting is the mounting of luminaires on wire cables above exterior spaces, reducing the need for posts and columns at ground level. Because of this, it’s especially useful when covering wide pedestrianised expanses – where there’s a requirement to maximise the public space – and also very narrow streets where space is limited.

This lighting approach has been popular on the Continent for many years. Prague's luxurious Pa?í?ská ulice (Paris Street), for example, is illuminated by catenary lamps, with citizens and tourists beneath enjoying eating and drinking al fresco in broad areas, untroubled by vertical light poles.

Amsterdam's handsome, meandering alleys also frequently benefit from overhead lighting, as some of the city's steegje (alleys) are only one metre wide, making conventional lighting with poles not practical.

We have begun to witness greater adoption of this lighting style in new urban, mixed-use developments across the United Kingdom, and at markets, in gardens, and on roofs. The British attitude towards dining has become more continental in the past fifty years too - when weather permits – and various environments around the nation have seen overhead lighting implemented above food courts and at Christmas exhibitions in malls.

The advantages of catenary lighting are far-reaching, and it's catching on in Britain. Here are some of the reasons why…

Removing street clutter

Some large public areas lie in partial shadow due to the lighting infrastructure's inability to fully occupy the space, without becoming intrusive. Catenary lighting removes lighting installation 'clutter' at street level to maximise ground space. People underneath the feature can enjoy the illumination unhindered by the columns and poles necessary to support conventional lighting.

One recognisable boulevard making great use of catenary lighting is Olympic Way - the busy street that links Wembley Park tube station and Wembley Stadium in London. With lighting positioned overhead, there is maximum space available for pedestrians during high footfall times, after concerts for example.

Introducing ambience and making a statement

Architects and designers are often called upon in the modern era to do more than illuminate an area. Conventional street lighting has its place in the uniformity of suburbia. Still, inner city areas where people socialise and shop enjoy overhead lights' aesthetic and practical benefits.

Designers can define the spatial aesthetics of an area with unparalleled versatility. Focused illumination from above enables designers to infuse environments with an ambience that utilises the surrounding architecture to generate a welcoming, warm atmosphere.

Lighting on poles can also degrade the look of a design, particularly in today's age of minimalist displays that rely as much on functionality as they do on material elements.

Take London City Island, two tube stations east of Canary Wharf. This former industrial area has been rejuvenated through investment, and catenary lighting has been instrumental in establishing the appropriate functional and aesthetic lighting scheme here.

The focus is on attractive, safe footpaths, squares and riverside gardens, and overhead illumination ensures exterior environments are comfortable for residents and visitors alike in the evening.  

Enhancing security

Boosting night time use of outdoor public spaces such as parks through enhanced lighting also establishes a more secure space. Catenary lighting can illuminate difficult-to-light, large areas with its versatile wires and flexible lighting options.

Corners and alleys once shunned as crevices of criminality can also be transformed into welcoming environments more attractive to visitation, and security is heightened through greater overall footfall and the natural confidence that light encourages.

The area around Croydon's Southern House office development has been transformed into a regenerated, desirable district for residential and commercial use. Newly landscaped pedestrian access points integrate it with its urban surroundings. A lighting solution from our sister company, WE-EF, features downlights on wire cables and guides visitors intuitively from the street to the main building.

Catenary lighting is proving popular for many modern applications across the UK, this redevelopment in Croydon being yet another example. So why is there still some reluctance to embrace catenary lighting?

Catenary lighting special considerations

When calculating a catenary lighting system, careful attention must be paid to the influence of wind and rain. Precision and meticulous preparation is paramount. Some may be put off by this, believing it to be an unnecessary technical complication which could, if not handled thoroughly, lead to installation complications.

WE-EF's technical team works closely with architects, lighting designers and landscape architects to thoroughly understand the intended vision. We then precisely calculate what is required to manifest that vision. From the cables and columns, to the fixings and luminaires, our experts supply all the components required to make a design a reality  - you needn't worry about sourcing from different suppliers across the country.

Any installation challenges associated with catenary lighting are eliminated through WE-EF’s comprehensive solution. 3D computer modelling is used to fine-tune the overhead catenary network, and identify the most cost-effective layout for the area. Thorough calculations are also performed to ensure the correct quantity of luminaries and their position is precise, and the optimum cable length is provided, factoring in weight and windage.

We're proud to have provided catenary lighting solutions around the UK and beyond, helping to rejuvenate town squares, bring vibrancy to parks and showcase artistic displays after dark.

If you’ve got an outdoor lighting project coming up, and want to find out if catenary lighting could be an option, please get in touch.