Bringing a square to life

A harmonious combination of paving, trees, greenery and light

Integrating and modernising Plaza de Indautxu, one of Bilbao’s best-known squares, was a tremendous challenge. A harmonious combination of paving, trees, greenery and lighting columns now blends in perfectly with the surrounding buildings, bringing the square to life.

Over the past decade Bilbao has projected an image of a city characterised by innovative urban architecture. For the citizens of Bilbao, one of the major achievements has been the development of the city’s squares, with special emphasis on the lighting. The local authorities commissioned a number of renowned architects and town planners to design and carry out projects in some of the city’s most emblematic squares, including Plaza de Indautxu.

Sculptural lighting

This project was intended to tailor Plaza de Indautxu to its intended use. Several streets run into the square, and below it there is an underground car park, which plays a key role in easing traffic congestion in the city. The chosen solution consists of a number of sculptural lighting elements combining shafts sloping forwards or backwards depending on the type of column used, crowned with slender, graceful arches. These columns are 6, 8 and 10 metres high, aligned in concentric circles, their height increasing towards the centre of the square. Besides the radial arrangement, the geometric effect obtained by the arches and the angles of the columns ensures that the square appears circular from whatever vantage point.

Avoid light pollution

"At night, lighting effects are combined with more functional lighting based on the use of ceramic metal-halide lamps. LED-based lighting inside the arches allows a very low installed load and a highly uniform lighting effect, without detracting from the column. The beams of light are cut off cleanly to avoid any light pollution. Sections along the length or outside of the square are lit by luminaires incorporating road-lighting optics, contrasting with other types of lighting."

Human face of the city

The centre of the square is lit with floodlight reflectors that deliver a higher light output and a brighter effect. Where necessary, a system has been incorporated to reduce the light output of some of the ceramic metal-halide lamps, a pioneering technique in this field. The streets bordering the square have been pedestrianised in order to allow pavement cafés, exhibitions, street theatre, sports and craft markets. This reinforces the human face of the city, strengthening the bond with the people of Bilbao.