Hawick Tower Mill

Tower Mill in the Scottish Borders town of Hawick is an A listed formerly derelict weaving mill. The mill is being given a new lease of life as part of The Heart of Hawick Project.

This is a $10 million regeneration project covering a number of areas of the town, and is funded by Scottish Borders Council, the European Union, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Scottish Arts Council.

The mill building, which still houses a 14 foot Victorian water wheel, has been converted to a theatre and cinema with visitor centre, creative workspaces, a cafe/bar and exhibition space.

UFO was asked by KJ Tait Engineers and Gray Marshall Architects to supply and fit unobtrusive lighting to the stairs and handrail in the new theatre auditorium.

To light the steps, focusable P9 stainless steel pavers are set into the E-Cousti board wall panelling just above the level of each step to avoid distracting glare. Two 150w metal halide light sources supply white light to each fitting through 3mm glass fibre.

A novel solution to light the handrails was required. Each handrail is recessed into the E-Cousti board and these are at the audience eye level. A subtle light is required to avoid distraction so single lines of 11mm diameter Brightline sideglow fibre are used in a recess above the handrails to cast a low level light onto the top of the handrail.

The glowing fibre is not visible unless viewed from below at an acute angle. Another benefit is that the light is virtually heat-free. Blue light is supplied to this by a further two 150w light sources.