Illuminate your space: Glasgow Ceiling of Light
Floating in mid-sky, high above the iconic Glasgow square, the Ceiling of Light design illuminates the eye-catching neoclassical architecture of the Gallery of Modern Art and the entire square itself – a beacon of light that acts as a guide, soothing the space whilst being sympathetic to the environment.
Thousands of champagne-white LEDs shimmer in all directions, generating an uplifting and optimistic ambiance experienced from October to March, coinciding with the darker evenings. It was an ambitious vision that took years of meticulous planning to gain permission to install the infrastructure and network of steel wires to support the lighting.
The Ceiling of Light has achieved great success not only as a standalone picturesque lighting design but, more importantly, by creating a positive, safe space for people to meet and socialise outside in the evening. The square before the installation was a darker, uninviting space where crime took place frequently; afterwards, Police Scotland reported that anti-social behaviour and crime had reduced in the area.
Key findings
- Crime reduction: broader reports from the period linked the lighting to a significant decrease in antisocial behaviour and crime.
- Calming effect: experts theorised the light has a psychological “calming effect”, reducing impulsivity, aggression and stress.
- Novelty factor: some researchers argued the effect may have been heightened by the unfamiliarity of the transformed environment.
The semi-permanent project is commissioned by Glasgow City Council. The bespoke lighting was customised by ARRO Lighting, with installation by Lightways Contractors.