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Xscape, Castleford

  • Xscape
  • Lamp efficacy

    Lamp efficacy

    Ensuring the lamp efficiently converts electricity into light (lm/W).

  • Ballast classification

    Ballast classification

    Controlling the electricity supply to the lamp (Energy Efficiency Index).

  • Luminaire distribution

    Luminaire distribution

    Controlling light emission using optics which bend and shape the light to the correct location.

  • System efficacy

    System efficacy

    Combining optical and thermal control within the luminaire (luminaire lm/W).

  • Presence/absence detection

    Presence/absence detection

    Presence: Lights automatically turn on/off with movement. Absence: Lights automatically turn off and must be manually switched on.

  • Daylight detection

    Daylight detection

    Artificial lighting which responds to the natural light conditions.

  • Constant illuminance

    Constant illuminance

    A function designed to produce correct light levels for the duration of the maintenance period.

  • Task-scene setting

    Task-scene setting

    Allowing the user to set scenes and adapt the lighting to different tasks.

  • Timed off

    Timed off

    Automatic cut-off can be installed to turn all lights off during unoccupied hours.

  • Task lighting

    Task lighting

    Lighting task areas with the correct amount of light.

  • Zoning of lighting

    Zoning of lighting

    Lighting is zoned according to area use.

  • Maintenance schedule

    Maintenance schedule

    Maintenance must be performed in response to product age, performance and environment.

  • Waste light

    Waste light

    Eliminating waste light which does not hit the intended target.

  • Reflectance

    Reflectance

    Taking advantage of light which is reflected from the surface within the space.

  • Visible smart metering

    Visible smart metering

    Results of actions can be quickly seen as increased or decreased energy use to encourage responsible energy consumption.

All lit up

Thorn lights a 38m high building at Xscape - the UK’s biggest indoor real snow slope, using indirect floodlights. Xscape, at Glasshoughton, Castleford, is a spectacular attraction by any standards. Designed by architects Faulkner Brown, the 38m high building boasts a 190m slope of real snow for both beginner and regular skiers and boarders. Sixteen special jets fire cooled water into the air that is chilled at -2°C to make 150 tonnes of perfect real snow.

The difficult task of lighting the 38m high building was handled by Thorn Lighting using an indirect floodlighting approach.

There are several fundamental problems of lighting such a structure. The slope’s surface switchbacks from almost horizontal, along the freestyle jump areas, to near vertical, down the main run! This meant whichever floodlight was chosen, it had to illuminate the 'ribbon’ shaped surface whilst providing a pleasant and visually comfortable environment for all the participants.

To aggravate the problem further was the high luminance of the all white interior surfaces, limited mounting heights and the need for access for future maintenance.

The solution involved 150 white-pointed asymmetrical Thorn Contrast C floodlights with refractor attachments, equipped with 400W metal halide lamps. They are mounted on a central steel lattice truss, complete with catwalk.

The layout of mainly indirect aimed floodlights gives the skiers visual contact with the slope, whilst providing excellent uniformity. Some of the floodlights have an additional 150W halogen lamp powered by a UPS so that safe stopping of activities is possible in the event of mains failure.

About Xscape

The snow slope is the 'flagship’ for the entire Xscape complex. The £68m development also houses a 14-screen cinema complex, 20 lane computerised bowling alleys, rock climbing, restaurants and urban-lifestyle shops which make Xscape Castleford the ultimate family entertainment destination. Also, opening soon will be Europe’s tallest ice climbing wall and an indoor and outdoor skateboard park.

Thorn equipment is used widely in the 'non-snow’ areas to maintain the excitement of the centre, while Lemnis road lanterns illuminate the car parks. 'Candle’ fittings, which incorporate an optical film technology, are used to light walkways linking car parks to the main building.

The scheme was installed by Balfour Kilpatrick and the equipment was purchased through Newey & Eyre Projects, Salford.