Built in 1473 as a mediaeval tolbooth, the Category A listed building was redesigned in 1705 by Sir William Bruce and became the original meeting place of Stirling Burch Council. Since then, the Tolbooth has been a court, a jail, and even hosted parliament. Reopened in 2002 after a restoration by award-winning architect Richard Murphy, the Tolbooth has established a reputation as one of the best live music venues in Scotland.
This project, commissioned by Stirling Council, involved extensive design and planning work to meet the stringent requirements of various regulatory bodies, including Historical Environment Scotland and the Local Planning authorities. The restoration journey, which spanned over four years, required a full design overhaul and showcased LITE Architectural’s dedication to innovative and adaptable solutions.
Stirling Council appointed LITE to carry out a full turnkey solution for this project, including the planning, supply, installation, and commissioning of the lighting solutions from their extensive portfolio of products. The project began with a carefully crafted design concept, tailored to preserve the historical integrity of the Stirling Tolbooth while introducing modern functionality.
One of the defining features of the Stirling Tolbooth project was its need for versatile and creative solutions. The restoration involved numerous challenges, each requiring a bespoke approach. For instance, the Tolbooth's tower presented unique challenges. Direct fixing of elements was not an option due to the tower’s delicate structure and historical value. To address this, LITE Architectural designed bespoke brackets and clamps made from powder-coated metal. These custom solutions allowed for the secure attachment of necessary components without compromising the building’s integrity.
LITE also selected a range of fixtures from ColorKinetics, Studio Due and MaxiLED to meet the requirements for this project. Burst Powercore gen3 RGBW is a high-output, exterior-rated LED luminaire designed for accent and site lighting to support a range of dynamic uplighting, floodlighting, and decorative lighting applications. Studio Due’s Terra Plus Tilt In Ground was utilised with motorised tilt adjustment and IP 67 protection rating. Graze CompactPowercore is an exterior compact linear grazing luminaire with intelligent RGBW light designed to highlight architectural features. Multiple luminaire lengths and beam angles support a large range of façade or surface illumination applications. MaxiDEPTH Series fittings are the perfect recessed lighting solution, with a Drive-Over rating of 5000kg, an IK10 glass lens and an IP68 factory-sealed optical chamber to ensure durability.
The luminaires are all controlled by an innovative Pharos LPC (Lighting Playback Controller), an award-winning, all-in-one control solution for themed entertainment and LED lighting installations. The LPC features individually controllable and independently running timelines and scenes, letting the end user set dynamic, fully customisable, and pre-programmed lighting effects.
The project, from its initial concept through to its final execution, highlights the importance of versatility and innovation in architectural restoration. Despite numerous challenges, LITE Architectural provided every solution needed, demonstrating their commitment to excellence and respect for historical preservation.
