DESIGN
Studio Volop
LIGHTING DESIGN
Lichtpunt
unonovesette Illuminates the Ambitious Folly STONE AGE Installation with Caliber 80 HV.
Next to the roundabout at Mensin Rifle, along the N361 — the road connecting Groningen to the “Dark Sky” area of Lauwersmeer — the Folly STONE AGE installation has been completed. This artistic installation, designed by Studio Volop, celebrates two significant periods in the history of Groningen: the Middle Ages, with the settlement of monks who brought the technique for baking clay, and the Industrial Revolution, when the expansion of brick production brought prosperity and development to the entire region.
The installation stands out for its ability to blend these two historical periods into a single evocative image. From a distance, it appears as a post-industrial ruin, visible from both directions along the N361. Approaching from Winsum, visitors will see the silhouette of a medieval church, while coming from the opposite direction, from Lauwersoog, the outlines of a 19th-century brick factory become visible.
Designing the lighting for this extraordinary installation, developed by Lichtpunt Theatertechniek,
a Dutch company with extensive experience in lighting cultural spaces, in collaboration with Studio Volop,
posed a significant challenge. It was necessary to develop a solution that was not only safe for traffic along the N361, energy-efficient, and durable but also visually striking and respectful of the local wildlife, particularly the bats common in the area. One of the most significant choices was selecting amber-coloured lighting, which, due to its wavelength, not only minimises the impact on bat activity but also evokes the warm glow of church candles and the fires of historic brick factories. For this project, unonovesette was selected for its technical expertise and ability to develop high-quality customised products. In response to the specific needs of the project, we created an exclusive version of the Caliber 80 HV, thereby ensuring the result desired by the designers.
