Nordic light in Oulu: the Bridges of Pikisaari
The Finnish town of Oulu, nicknamed the “Capital of Northern Scandinavia”, has been a LUCI member since 2015. Last year, it has won awards for the lighting design of the bridges that connect Pikisaari Island to the mainland. The island is one of the city’s creative spots and up-and-coming touristic attractions.
The new lighting scheme for the Pikisaari Bridge sought to create a strong connection between the island and the mainland. Different shades of white are used, helping the bridge fit harmoniously into the Scandinavian landscape. It also takes into account different seasonal lighting requirements and large variations in daylight hours.
The project, implemented by the City of Oulu and Oulun Energia, was commended as being a beautifully understated scheme, sympathetic to both the architecture and the surroundings, and a perfect example of “less is more”. By restricting the scheme to white light, it allows the bridge to draw a simple horizontal line across the landscape.
The advisor to the Mayor of Oulu, Piia Rantala-Korhonen presented the project during an Open Conference Session at LUCI AGM in Durham. Members can access the presentation in the extranet.
The Bridges of Pikisaari at a glance:
- Contracting authority: City of Oulu, Oulun Energia
- Lighting design and Implementation: Valoa
- Equipment: iGuzzini and Philips
- Implementation: May 2017
An edited version of this article originally appeared in 
(Issue #6, December 2017).
Photo credits: © Henri Luoma
