Located under the arch of the Clink Street tunnel on Bankside, the installation has been programmed to create a subtle firework display effect, running along the brickwork and bridge walls.
The lights react to the volume of pedestrians passing underneath them, with the illuminations changing in intensity according to the flow of people.
The quiet phases will be marked with a twinkling star effect and when the area becomes busier, the firework effect will build up momentum reaching its most striking display in times of increased activity.
Councillor Fiona Colley, cabinet member for regeneration at Southwark Council, said, "Southwark will become famous for the way it has transformed spaces that were previously dark and unattractive into bright and interesting routes for people to enjoy and walk through. Not only do the tunnel installations in many of the borough's historic railway arches enhance the original structures, they also provide a safer environment for pedestrians during the evening."
In planning the project, Southwark Council collaborated with lighting designers, Halo Lighting, and suppliers Architainment Lighting.
Yann Guenancia, from Halo says, "Clink Street's bespoke LED screen is an ambitious undertaking: 135sq.m in size, made of 9,600 nodes capable of producing any shades of colour on the visible spectrum, driven by the latest imaging technology control system, and curved to the profile of an old Victorian tunnel 7m up above ground. It took six people six weeks to install and many months of careful preparation by a team of designers and engineers. To our knowledge this is the first installation of its kind in the UK and Halo is proud to have contributed to this land mark project."
Rob Anderson from Architainment adds, "Delivering a practical and workable solution that meets the creative demands of the project is something that would not have happened without the consistent hard work and enthusiasm of our project partners, Halo Lighting and Southwark Council. For the team at Architainment Lighting to help realise a vision that was conceived so long ago has been extremely rewarding, and I'm excited that the piece is now being unveiled to the public and will be enjoyed for many years to come."
(Jim Evans)
