Kielder Skyspace

American artist James Turrell's Skyspace installation is a magnificent stone chamber set into a rocky outcrop at Cat Cairn deep within Kielder Forest in Northumberland, overlooking Kielder Reservoir.

Universal Fibre Optics were commissioned by the Babtie Group and Kielder Partnership to illuminate the Skyspace at night with a striking arrangement of fibre optics. Visitors are guided into the structure by a walkway of lights which are powered by two windmills some metres away. The walkway lights are activated by an automatic sensor at the entrance to the tunnel. In addition, a halo of endlit fibre optics circles the interior of the domed structure, illuminating the ceiling with a subtle yet striking light. The 100w TH light sources for the fibre optics are protected within the stone bench seating provided for visitors.

Fibre optics were the ideal lighting solution for this remote location due to their low maintenance requirements. The lights carry no electricity in either the cable or end fittings and emit no heat. As such, they are perfectly suited to adverse weather conditions.