Exchange Square,
Broadgate, London

London, UK | DSDHA, Speirs Major & British Land

Location Broadgate, City of London, UK

Client & Architecture British Land / DSDHA

Lighting Design Speirs Major

Specified Spectrum 2500K Ultra-Warm Linear

Biophilic Urbanism & Human-Centric Public Realm Lighting

Supporting British Land’s deep commitment to urban sustainability and ecological biodiversity, Exchange Square reimagines a 1.5-acre public park suspended over the railway tracks into Liverpool Street Station. Designed by award-winning architects DSDHA, the park seamlessly merges biodiverse natural planting with the dynamic urban fabric of the City of London, creating a tranquil oasis for office workers, local residents, and visitors.

World-renowned lighting designers Speirs Major developed a sensitive, low-glare lighting strategy focused on human wellness, ecological balance, and evening placemaking. To create a welcoming, intimate sanctuary after dusk without causing light pollution or disrupting the nocturnal ecology, Architape Opaline Flex Top Bend in an ultra-warm 2500K color temperature was integrated directly under the cascading amphitheatre seating and timber benches.

Exchange Square Curved Amphitheatre Seating Illumination

Integrated Landscape

2500K Ultra-Warm Floating Seating

The amphitheatre seating curves gracefully across multiple topography levels. By specifying top-bending flexible silicone lines, the lighting follows the complex organic radii of the bespoke timber furniture perfectly.

The tailored 2500K spectrum emits an amber-tinged radiance that enhances the warmth of the natural wood, casts gentle downward path illumination for pedestrian safety, and protects the surrounding meadow planting.

Specified Solution Opaline Flex Top Bend 2500K — Flexible IP67 linear profile engineered for harsh outdoor public realm furniture.

Exchange Square Park Steps and Planting Lighting

Ecological Design

Dark-Sky Sensitive Placemaking

Maintaining zero upward spill was critical for British Land's biodiversity agenda. Concealing the light source beneath benches directs 100% of the luminous flux downward.

The rugged IP67 silicone encapsulation withstands London's harsh outdoor weathering, UV exposure, and public cleaning regimes while maintaining uniform color consistency across hundreds of metres of continuous runs.

Public Realm Performance UV-Stable Silicone Encapsulation — Zero yellowing, salt-mist resistant, and fully IP67 sealed.

Architectural Breakdown