The boardwalk that dims for bats
Canada Water’s red timber boardwalk is lit for commuters on winter evenings, then turns warmer and dimmer as the night goes on.
The boardwalk at Canada Water, designed by Asif Khan, links the Tube station with the new development around the dock1. After dark, warm white light built into the balustrade washes its red-stained timber and picks out its curving form1.
The dock is a designated bat corridor, so Speirs Major worked with the site ecologist on seasonal timing1. In winter, when the bats hibernate, the lights come on at a warm white 3000K in the evening for commuters, then shift over a few hours to warmer, dimmer light as the night goes on1. A custom louvre on the balustrade lights controls how the light source reflects in the water1.
From the project
Speirs Major says brightness and spill are kept deliberately low: pedestrians should feel safe, but the lower levels also limit the impact on local ecology1. In summer, when the bats are active, most commuting happens in daylight, the studio notes1.
The fittings are individual, repairable luminaires detailed with Asif Khan rather than sealed units, a choice the studio links to a circular economy1. Beyond the boardwalk, the Southern Steps and Dock Walk give people somewhere to sit by the water, lit for an intimate atmosphere1.
- Speirs MajorLighting design
- Asif KhanBoardwalk design
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 — Canada Water Boardwalk and Southern StepsUndated page · checked 2026-09-28
Chapter 03 · Parks after darkRead it in the issue →
