Light, landscape and nature in harmony
The Rivendale Lodge holiday park in the south of the Peak District national park nestles harmoniously into the landscape. Exterior lighting from WE-EF around the restaurant and reception building combine accessibility with respect for the night – for unmarred enjoyment of nature.
The Peak District has always been a recreation area for city dwellers from the nearby cities of Manchester, Sheffield and Derby. Recently, however, guests from all over the British Isles have rediscovered the region in the trend to holidaying at home, the “staycation”. In 2017 the resort operator, Darwin Escapes, took over the campsite which is idyllically situated in a former limestone quarry and turned it into Rivendale Lodge with 74 bungalows. The new reception and restaurant building designed by NBDA Architects has a contemporary look, a regional focus and is in harmony with nature with its gently curved grassy roof and rustic facades made from the local cream-coloured limestone. Guests can enjoy an intensive nature experience here – quiet, undisturbed and free from light pollution. On the other hand, safety and accessibility at all times are also very important. This was a challenge in the planning and the technology, which could only be mastered by adopting a respectful attitude towards the night.
Well-balanced exterior light
The walls leading to the entrance of the retreat shield the illuminated areas where people move around from the outside. STP254 recessed wall luminaires fitted in the supporting stone walls provide glare-free illumination of the paths, while ETV100 inground wallwashers are installed along the building. They accentuate the quarry stone walls with asymmetrical grazing light and form a line of light that guides visitors to the entrance. The terrace is illuminated by SLS410 surface-mounted wall luminaires emitting light, both upwards and downwards, mounted in pairs on the roof supports. They create a pleasant lighting atmosphere with balanced direct and indirect components. Flat, square QLS420 surface-mounted wall luminaires are installed on the narrow sides of the building. Their narrow downward beam of light provides orientation and marks entrances, for example to the toilets and showers where DOC110 recessed ceiling luminaires with a high protection rating are fitted.
Top quality from one source
The lighting concept for Rivendale Lodge is not just sustainable, it is also consistent as the surfaces, design and light quality have a homogenous and harmonious look. The 5CE superior corrosion protection of the aluminium or cast aluminium housing ensures that the luminaires retain their high-quality look in the long term. Their warm white light harmonises with the colour of the light limestone and is kind to fauna, especially insects. Furthermore, all luminaires can be centrally controlled and individually dimmed via DALI. For normal everyday operation, dimming values of up to 50% have proved to be practical, which not only reduces direct light emissions but also saves energy and therefore reduces CO2 emission. Rivendale Lodge is an example of successful night sensitive lighting: principals. Planners and WE-EF as the partner for lighting technology worked together to come up with a new lighting balance that creates atmospheric and sustainable living spaces – for people and nature.
Principal: Darwin Escapes
Architecture: NBDA Architects, Bollington
Interior design: Lazzeri Creative Interiors, Nottingham
Landscaping: RPS Planning & Development, Abingdon
Light planning: Integra Electrical Contractors, Scarborough
Consulting engineers: CD International, Sheffield
Photos: James Newton