Digital Life

About The Project

Digital Life is one of Teesside University’s flagship new builds, designed to lead the way in digital education. From computer gaming and animation to visual effects and digital production, this purpose-built facility creates an inspiring home for the next generation of digital creators.

Park Lighting Design delivered the full lighting design across every area – internal and external – including teaching spaces, a large lecture theatre, and state-of-the-art classrooms built around cutting-edge technology.

The Vision

As part of Teesside University’s multi-million-pound investment programme, the goal was clear: enhance the student experience, expand capacity, and create an environment that reflects the digital industries it serves.

The university specified Thorlux lighting throughout, ensuring consistency with existing campus systems. This included the SmartScan system – a high-performing, campus-wide solution the on-site engineers were already trained to maintain. While SmartScan is premium in cost, Park Lighting Design worked closely with Thorlux to achieve better pricing and ensure the project remained within budget.

The Challenges

The open-plan design included extensive acoustic rafts throughout, far more than typically seen on similar projects. This required careful planning to integrate lighting without compromising the rafts’ performance. To achieve balanced illumination, the team introduced more fittings at slightly lower light levels – increasing from three to five rows – to maintain consistent coverage and visual comfort.

Externally, the university wanted something striking. The concept included a “digital forest” with gobo projectors and bespoke 5-metre columns that mirrored the building’s modern façade. Rosa Lighting in Poland custom-manufactured the square columns to specification, while WE-EF supplied the gobo projectors that bring the exterior to life at night.

Another technical challenge was the building’s linear lighting detail. The design required LED strips to sit within the shadow gaps between perforated façade panels, highlighting the architecture without overpowering it. Using Traxon RGBW LED linear tape, Park Lighting Design managed complex run lengths and power limits by splitting sections and adjusting lead combinations – achieving flawless, continuous illumination along the building’s edge.

Lighting Design & Products

Manufacturers: Thorlux, Rosa Lighting, WE-EF, Traxon
Key Products:

• Thorlux SmartScan system for internal spaces
  
  
• Rosa Lighting custom square columns
  
  
• WE-EF gobo projectors for the “digital forest” feature
  
  
• Traxon encapsulated RGBW LED linear tape for façade detailing
  
  

The result is a beautifully balanced design that merges creativity with control – inside and out.

Supply & Logistics

With limited site access and minimal storage space, deliveries were carefully phased. All products were stored at Park’s project operations hub and called off floor-by-floor in line with progress. The lecture theatre and parts of the ground floor were prioritised early in the schedule, with exterior lighting delivered as a separate package. This structured approach ensured smooth installation and minimal disruption to the wider build programme.

The Results

Digital Life now stands as one of Teesside University’s most visually impressive buildings – both day and night. The project was delivered on time and within budget, ready for the start of the academic year.

The lighting not only enhances the experience for students and visitors but also plays a part in the curriculum itself – one of the course modules teaches students how to use the building’s control system to maximise exterior lighting effects.