The project was honoured with an Award of Excellence from the International Association of Lighting Designers at this year’s International Lighting Design Awards, held online on Thursday 18 June 2020.
The scheme also scooped the Radiance Award - the highest honour in architectural lighting design across the world, recognising the top point score from the judges across all the winners.
Located in the heart of the campus, the Concourse has been brought to life as a vibrant and social space for staff, students and visitors to enjoy.
The space beneath the brutalist concrete flyover has been transformed into a colourful gathering space for students, staff and visitors with an innovative lighting scheme, designed by Arup.
The flexible civic space has been designed to accommodate events which take place regularly such as Graduation and outdoor markets. At night, the new lighting scheme has created a safer and more secure space for those passing through.
The lighting design has made a huge improvement to the area
Keith Lilley
Director of Infrastructure, University of Sheffield
The International Lighting Design Awards’ judges described the Concourse lighting scheme as: “a beautiful example of colour and light as place-making”.
The Concourse redevelopment was part of the University’s Masterplan to improve key spaces, not only for students and staff to enjoy, but also for the wider Sheffield community.
Keith Lilley, Director of Infrastructure at the University of Sheffield, said: “We’re thrilled that the lighting design for the Concourse redevelopment has won this international award.
“The lighting design has made a huge improvement to the area under the flyover and is being enjoyed by students and staff.”
Dan Lister, Lighting Designer at Arup Sheffield, said: “‘We are extremely honoured that the University of Sheffield Concourse not only have received the Award for Excellence from the International Association of Lighting Designers, but also the Radiance Award for the project that achieved the highest score from the judges overall.
“From the start of this project the University of Sheffield understood the challenges faced within this space and the positive impact good lighting could have; this was evident in the unwavering confidence they gave supporting our vision for the Concourse. Their trust in our design has made it what it is today and we are truly thankful to them for bringing our designs to life.
“At Arup we aim to help our clients solve their most complex challenges – turning exciting ideas into tangible reality to shape a better world.”
The Concourse project also included impressive new paving and seating, improved access for cycles, and new plants and trees. A new artwall celebrating the University’s prestigious alumni will be installed summer 2020.