Connected Light supported Electrio Ltd and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) with a bespoke lighting solution for a new external walkway at the entrance to Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC).
Used by both staff and patients, the new walkway required consistent lighting across the complete route to help create a safe and secure environment after dark.
Rather than introducing conventional freestanding luminaires, Connected Light designed a discreet linear LED solution incorporated directly into the walkway handrail. Casambi wireless controls, occupancy detection and automatic dimming were then added to minimise unnecessary energy use throughout the hours of darkness.
Lighting designed around the new walkway
The lighting design needed to provide suitable illumination from one end of the pathway to the other while integrating sensitively with the new structure.
Connected Light developed the scheme to deliver compliant light levels across the full walkway, considering both the practical requirements of those using the route and the appearance of the installation.
A continuous linear lighting system was incorporated into the handrail, allowing the light source to become part of the structure itself rather than introducing additional visual clutter around the pathway.
The result is a practical lighting solution designed specifically around the architecture and use of the new walkway.
Custom LED lighting integrated into the handrail
IP68 continuous Neon Flex LED was selected for the installation and made to measure to suit the dimensions of the walkway.
The LED was housed within a custom aluminium extruded profile integrated into the handrail. This created a clean continuous line of illumination while providing a robust solution suitable for an exposed external environment.
At just 8 watts per metre, the selected LED provides an extremely energy-efficient solution while also offering extensive product longevity.
The made-to-measure approach enabled Connected Light to design the lighting around the structure rather than adapting the walkway around a standard luminaire.
This type of project reflects Connected Light’s wider approach to professional lighting design, where product selection, light levels, controls and installation details are considered together.
Casambi controls reduce unnecessary energy use
Lighting a walkway throughout the night does not mean it needs to operate at full output continuously.
Connected Light incorporated Casambi wireless lighting controls into the scheme to provide a more responsive approach.
Long-range Casambi controls allow the lighting to operate automatically at night, with the system dimming down to a low background level during periods of reduced occupancy.
Discreet PIR sensors positioned at either end of the walkway detect people entering the route after dark. When footfall is detected, the lighting responds accordingly to provide the required illumination as the walkway is used.
Once activity reduces, the system can return to its lower lighting level.
This control strategy provides further energy savings throughout the hours of darkness while retaining lighting when staff and patients need to use the route.
“The key to this project was providing the right light levels across the full walkway without detracting from the structure or surrounding environment. Integrating the LED into the handrail gave us a discreet solution, while the Casambi controls allow the lighting to respond to actual use and keep energy consumption to a minimum overnight.”
Matt Holway – Director, Connected Light
A warmer lighting environment
The colour temperature of the lighting was also an important part of the design.
A warm colour temperature was selected to complement the surrounding wooden structure and woodland canopy environment.
Rather than creating a harsh or overly clinical appearance, the warm linear lighting helps the walkway sit comfortably within its surroundings while clearly defining the route.
The continuous illumination built into the handrail also adds to the architectural character of the structure, combining functional pathway lighting with a more considered visual effect.
From lighting design to commissioning
Connected Light’s involvement extended from the design and product specification through to the final control setup.
Working in support of Electrio Ltd, Connected Light designed the lighting scheme, specified the made-to-measure IP68 LED system and provided the Casambi control solution.
Once installed, Connected Light commissioned the lighting controls and associated elements to ensure the sensors, dimming behaviour and nighttime operation worked together as intended.
The completed scheme combines several elements within one integrated solution:
- compliant lighting levels across the full pathway
- made-to-measure linear LED integrated into the handrail
- IP68 protection for external use
- energy consumption of just 8 watts per metre
- long-range Casambi wireless control
- discreet PIR occupancy detection
- automatic nighttime operation and dimming
- warm colour temperature selected for the surrounding environment
- full Connected Light commissioning
Bespoke exterior lighting for healthcare environments
The BHOC walkway demonstrates how exterior lighting can combine safety, energy efficiency and architectural integration without relying on conventional lighting solutions.
By incorporating the LED directly into the handrail, Connected Light was able to create a continuous and discreet source of illumination tailored specifically to the new structure.
Adding intelligent Casambi controls means the lighting also responds to how the pathway is actually used, maintaining a low level when occupancy is limited before increasing the lighting when staff or patients enter the walkway.
From bespoke LED specification through to controls and commissioning, the project provides a complete lighting solution designed around both the environment and the people using it.
