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New square and entrance to Bispebjerg Cemetery, Copenhagen

Prize(s) Honorable Mentions
Company Lightscapes Aps
Lead Designers Iben Winther Orton
Architecture Company Vega Landscape
Client Copenhagen Municipality
Photo Credits Naja Viscor
Completion Date March 2021
Project Location Copenhagen
Company Link View
Entry Description

The lighting of a new square and entrance to Bispebjerg Cemetery in Copenhagen. Unique, understated, safe and welcoming. The light of the day and the darkness bind the green space of the cemetery to the city.

Precisely where the wall cuts through the cemetery, sensitive illumination of the red brick brings materiality, intense color, and a bodily sensation of warmth to the space – a ‘fireplace’ under the canopy of the large trees. There is visual calm, safe traffic and a warm embrace that promotes the feeling of personal security.

The wall is illuminated from dimmable, 2400K, linear LEDs in recessed profiles of recycled aluminum. The optics are uniquely designed for this application, to avoid light pollution. Illumination of the terrain is from recycled luminaires with a new 3000K LED insert and special glass front for extra warmth from changing standard components. Dappled and broken by the surrounding foliage, it helps to minimize the impact on biodiversity around the beautiful, old trees.

Peaking briefly for rush-hour, the light is dimmed according to an astronomical clock and twilight hours, as well as being regulated according to the seasons of sunlight and foliage.