Water between glowing steps
At Exchange Square, the light is low, the steps glow, and the birch trees change colour with the seasons.
Much of the lighting at Exchange Square is low, to keep the space intimate and easy to meet people in1. At the edges, columns at a human scale light the circulation; inside, low bollards reveal the routes and the planting1.
The signature detail is in the steps. Slots cut into the terrazzo step seating and the water feature glow, and water flows over the light slots to make shifting patterns1.
From the project
The two rows of mature silver birches, the tallest things in the square, are lit from within so that the moving foliage throws patterns on the ground1. The colour of that light changes with the seasons: warmer white for autumn leaves and bare winter branches, cooler white for spring and summer1.
The slatted timber benches are lit softly from beneath, and an even wash reveals the dark metal ‘ribbon’ wall that curves through the park1.
- Speirs MajorLighting design
More from the project
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these public pages. Open the original to check it, or to see more of the project.
- Speirs MajorSpeirs Major — Exchange SquareUndated page · checked 2026-09-28
Chapter 04 · Squares and yardsRead it in the issue →
