Mike Simpson has a mission. He says: “Sometimes I wish I had a giant switch with which I could turn off all the lights in the world in one go.”
It may seem an odd thing to say for someone who has dedicated the last four decades of his life to illuminating things, but as he elaborates, it starts to make sense. “People take the power of lighting for granted,” he says. “They don’t appreciate how powerful and complex lighting can be. I would love to be able to change that.”
We’ve all heard of cheesemongers and fishmongers, but Mr Simpson is a lightmonger. Arguably, he’s one of the most prolific. Two years ago, he served as master of the Worshipful Company of Lightmongers, a London livery company. He lectures on the subject and has helped light up landmarks such as London’s iconic St Paul’s Cathedral.
His expertise has helped bring several Olympic and Paralympic Games to life, but it’s through his work as global application lead at Signify that he’s really found himself at the forefront of a new paradigm of lighting innovation.
Signify, formerly known as Philips Lighting, has been a pioneer in the field of energy-efficient lighting for many years. Now, by leveraging the power of the internet of things, it is cementing its industry status, with Mr Simpson guiding the way.
In November 2018, a competition that attracted more than 105 submissions was won by American light artist Leo Villareal, best known for lighting up San Francisco’s Bay Bridge, in collaboration with London architects Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands.
It’s a project that’s about reconnecting and celebrating community and collaboration at a time when London needs it most
Then after a long tender process, Signify was awarded a contract by the Illuminated River Foundation to provide the technology and technical lighting design provided by Atelier 10 to light up to a 2.5-mile stretch of the Thames through LED installations on up to 15 of London’s bridges.
Their pitch by Mr Villareal impressed the prestigious jury for its commitment to respecting the natural environment and its promise to celebrate the unique architectural character as well as rich history of each bridge.
Unique and ambitious, the project will showcase technology which can simultaneously stand for both aesthetically striking form and cutting-edge function, where neither compromises the other. “It’s completely one of a kind,” says Mr Simpson, adding that it will “make a huge difference to the riverscape through London for many years to come”.
The first phase of the project, which is funded by the Rothschild Foundation, Arcadia, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin, and the Blavatnik Family Foundation, will see lights on four bridges being switched on in the summer.
Around 22,000 colour kinetics LED light points will eventually cover all 15 bridges and Signify has committed to providing life-cycle services to monitor and manage the connected bridge lighting remotely for the next decade, using its Interact Landmark System.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to refocus our attention on the bridges across the Thames that we are familiar with, but perhaps do not notice any more,” says curator Sarah Gaventa, director of the Illuminated River Foundation, who is leading the project.
“We want people who cross them every day to stop, stand and really appreciate them. We want them to take a moment out of their busy commutes after dark and to even perhaps share a moment with someone else who is enjoying the artwork. It’s a project that’s about reconnecting and celebrating community and collaboration at a time when London needs it most.”
For more information please visit https://www.interact-lighting.com/en-gb/what-is-possible/interact-city
