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Light Bureau are working with exhibition designers from Kvorning Design & Kommunikation and English Heritage to bring the Grade 1 listed, Dover Secret Wartime Tunnels back to life in the form of a visitor experience and exhibition. The architectural lighting design will play a key role in the refurbishment of the tunnels and new exhibition space which will tell the historic story of the tunnels.
Dover has long been a key location in the defence of Britain, being one of the oldest, southernmost cities and main ports of the UK. Dover Castle is a major cultural treasure and has recently benefited from much attention - part of the castle has been transformed into a fully dressed space to show the public how the castle would have been richly furnished at the time it was actually inhabited. What is less known to the public is the labyrinth of underground tunnels and casemates extending hundreds of feet below the castle – the Secret Wartime Tunnels.
The tunnels are one of the strategic defence points dating back to the Napoleonic Wars. It was greatly expanded upon from the tunnel remnants of the middle ages, to serve as fortification for the Castle in preparation of a French invasion. The tunnels could hold up to 2,000 troops and came into use once again during the Second World War acting as the base for Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of British and French troops from the beaches of Dunkirk, later referred to as the Miracle of Dunkirk.
Light Bureau are helping to realise the permanent architectural lighting which includes accenting chalk walls carved in the Napoleonic era and features graffiti carved in the nineteenth century. The texture and fabric of the casements is unique and at present is completely unexploited.
In September the combined Anglo-Danish team carried out a comprehensive lighting demonstration to the client – English Heritage to help them understand the impact of the show and permanent lighting designs. All permanent lighting is realised using energy efficient fixtures, typically using high quality solid state sources. In most situations lighting will be enhanced whilst using as much as 90% less power over the original installation but still achieving huge improvements in the lit appearance. The philosophy is to light the spaces well, to enhance the visitor’s experience and then, through expert knowledge of technology, to reduce through life cost and maintenance burden to English Heritage.
The contractor has now commenced work on site and we look forward to delivering the project to the public in 2012.
Client: English Heritage
Exhibition designers: Kvorning Design & Kommunikasjon, COWI
Work in progress