Tensta, a suburb of Sweden’s capital Stockholm, is home to a shopping centre with a plaza and taxi rank called the Taxingeplan. It’s been neglected for some time, and as a result has led to a feeling of unease and vulnerability for those visiting or passing through. This is exacerbated by its secluded location, lack of visibility, and issues with illegal driving which have created an unsafe environment.
The City Council of Stockholm wanted to rectify these issues, and allow those who live, work and visit the area to feel confident and comfortable in their surroundings. They embarked on a transformation project for the square, adding green space, better lighting and traffic safety measures.
The lighting scheme was essential to the success of the project. Renowned lighting designers Light Bureau were appointed to design the scheme, with Stockholm Lighting brought into the project team to source and specify the solutions to deliver the lighting solution.
The square has now been given a new lease of life, with the impression of a welcoming star-studded sky created by festoon lighting that illuminates the area below. The luminaires are from the MaxiLED Lighting Globe Series, beautifully blending both the practical and aesthetic requirements.
To deliver the required lighting scene, the globes are controlled by a Pharos LPC 1 which runs a different dynamic lighting scene for every day of the week. The lighting show runs until 10pm, when the Pharos system switches the lights to a more simple, functional white light scheme until 6am. After this time, the next day’s light show starts. At New Year there is an all-night programmed show with glittering effects and fireworks.
Other elements of the regeneration works include an expansion of the square, renovated plant beds and improvements to the visibility in the area through improved tree care. Alongside the new lighting scheme, the City Council has met its objectives of delivering a better atmosphere, and improving people’s perceptions when they need to visit the area.
Project team:
Supplied by: Stockholm Lighting
Lighting Design: Light Bureau
Lighting products: MaxiLED
Client: Stockholm City Council
Photography courtesy of Anna Waernborg of Light Bureau
