1. Case Studies

Explore the night in Carlisle City

Carlisle Citadel at night illuminated by Thorn Lighting
Client
Cumbria County Council
Project location
Carlisle, United Kingdom
Project date
2020
Photography
D&H Photography
Carlisle Hallmark Hotel lit by Thorn

Creating civic pride

One of the many events regularly hosted in the city of Carlisle is the ‘City of Lights’ which was brand new during 2020. As part of a four-day event, locals and tourists visit a variety of lighting displays and installations. During 2020, the centrepiece was a space-themed exhibition at Carlisle Cathedral created by award-winning artistic collaboration ‘Luxmuralis’.
The City of Lights project involved not just Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council, but also a range of partners including the Railway Heritage Trust and Story Contracting.
When the ‘City of Lights’ ended, it was clear that locals and visitors were drawn to the local landmarks which had gone unnoticed in the daytime and they were taking greater pride in the buildings and structures around them.
For this reason, Cumbria County Council were inspired to undertake a city-wide lighting initiative. As part of this – new luminaires were installed acros key buildings within the city centre for highlight the structures all year round in the hours of darkness.

Products

Carlisle Hallmark Hotel lit by Thorn's EROA

AN URBAN DESTINATION AT NIGHT

Thorn has an established relationship with Cumbria County Council’s Lighting Manager, Ian Harker, and have worked closely to achieve new schemes for Carlisle Citadel, railway station, station hotel and Griffin pub, with other projects including the Crown and Mitre pub also in the pipeline. These buildings are all located within a short walk of each other, creating a new urban destination that welcomes people at night.

PROJECT GALLERY

Carlisle Citadel, an ex fortress lit with RGBW light at night

A former medieval fortress

A former medieval fortress, Carlisle Citadel’s two towers mark the entrance to the city. Designed to handle artillery, they’ve had many uses during their lifetime, including as civil and criminal courts and a prison. Thanks to English Heritage, they’ve been restored in recent times with the west tower now open to the public.
This year, they’ve been lit by pole-mounted Thorn floodlights which flank the Citadel’s perimeter, and EROA Si linear fittings which graze its higher walls.

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LIGHT THAT SHAPES IDENTITIES

Urban Life & Architectural Lighting