An innovative lighting scheme based on a system used by American fire and rescue trucks will provide the finishing touch to the refurbishment of one of Edinburgh’s most famous landmark buildings.

The system, designed by Edinburgh-based lighting company Black Light, comprises fourteen lamps that will illuminate the upper level and copper dome of the Usher Hall. The new lights will be hidden when not in use and will be deployed using a system of pneumatic masts like those used on the roofs of emergency vehicles in the USA.

“When we were handed this project we looked everywhere for the right technology and found the perfect solution in America. The air-powered mast system we’ve chosen has successfully established itself as a necessity in Fire Departments across the States,” explains Craig Collin, Black Light’s Technical Manager. “Although we’re using it in a slightly different way at the Usher Hall, we were able to join forces and work with the manufacturer in America to create a bespoke version of the mast that satisfies our requirements.”

The challenge handed to Black Light by Edinburgh Council and LDN Architects was to create a system that would fold away when not in use in order to preserve the architectural integrity of the building. “The client’s key demand was that the lights shouldn’t be seen when not in use,” says Craig.

The system Black Light has designed requires minimal human control and will automatically deploy and power up the lighting scheme when triggered by a daylight sensor as evening approaches. Additionally, the system is expected to stow automatically at around 2am when Edinburgh City Centre quietens. This schedule is designed to maximise the visual impact of the buildings’ beautiful exterior at times when footfall and public attention are high, at the same time minimizing the carbon footprint of the scheme. The system is protected by a monitoring system that, in the event of high winds, will prevent the system from deploying, or if deployed, stow the masts until such time as it is deemed safe to re-launch the system.

The historic Usher Hall has been the subject of a multi-million pound redevelopment programme over the last few years. The new lights represent the final step of Phase Three of this development. It is planned that the new lighting scheme will be in place by the end of June 2010. The whole refurbishment, now due for completion this summer, includes a glass-covered extension of the venue and a range of other improvements to the current building.