Kraaiheide, Den Helder: compact lighting on the edge of the dunes
In a residential area bordering the dunes near Den Helder, small high-efficiency luminaires sit on low columns. What this approach teaches and how you achieve a comparable result with POLARIS and VIA.
The project in brief
Kraaiheide lies on the western side of Den Helder, close to the dunes. Residential streets, footpaths and parking areas are a short distance from the sea. For the neighbourhood lighting, the smallest luminaire in a street lighting range was chosen: compact, yet with a high efficacy.
The result is a calm streetscape: by day the luminaires are barely noticeable, and in the evening they give enough light on carriageway and pavement without illuminating the dunes.
Lichtplein was not involved in this project; it serves here as an example of compact neighbourhood lighting on the coast, an approach you can also set up with our range.
Why compact works on the coast
A small luminaire has three advantages in a location like this:
- Less wind load. The luminaire's projected area counts towards the column load; on the coast a compact canopy leaves room for a slimmer column.
- Less salt deposit. A smooth, sealed IP66 housing keeps salt spray and drifting sand out.
- Lower wattage for the same light. At 130 to 160 lumens per watt, 25 to 50 W is in many cases enough for a residential street on a 4 to 6 metre column.
Lighting next to a nature reserve
As a guide value, residential streets need an average of 3 to 5 lux, footpaths 2 to 3 lux. More important than the lux figure are uniformity and the absence of spill light towards the dunes. Choose a luminaire with a flat underside and an optic that keeps the light on the road, and set the colour temperature to warm white: 2200 to 3000 K is calmer for residents and less disruptive for birds, bats and insects.
How to build this with the Lichtplein range
For the residential streets, the street luminaires of VIA fit well: adjustable from 20 to 50 W, 6,750 lumens, IP66, Type II optic, tilting on a 60 mm column spigot and with 10 kV surge protection as standard.
For small squares and footpaths, choose the modern post-top luminaires of POLARIS: 30, 40 or 60 W, colour temperature 2200, 3000 or 4000 K, symmetrical 90 degree beam, IP66, for a 60 to 80 mm column top. With the remote control from the same series you set output and colour per column after installation.
As the column, choose the steel columns of TURRIS in 4 or 6 metres, hot-dip galvanised and, on the coast, preferably powder-coated in RAL 9005, or the aluminium columns of CIVIS. The column fuse unit comes from the NEXUS series.
Points of attention for the installer
- Corrosion: close to the sea, allow for corrosivity category C4 to C5. Choose galvanised plus powder coating or aluminium, and stainless steel fixings.
- Sand and moisture: position the column with the door facing away from the sea wind and check that all glands are sealed.
- Lead time: luminaires within 5 working days from European stock, columns in 3 to 6 weeks. Order the columns first.
- Business only: Lichtplein supplies businesses only. Project prices apply from 100 luminaires and 20 columns.
Frequently asked questions
How much lux does a residential street need?
As a guide value, an average of 3 to 5 lux on the carriageway and 2 to 3 lux on footpaths. The column spacing follows from a lighting calculation; at a mounting height of 4 to 6 metres it is usually between 15 and 30 metres, depending on road width and optic.
Which colour temperature should I choose next to the dunes?
Warm white from 2200 to 3000 K. The POLARIS post-top luminaires are adjustable to 2200, 3000 or 4000 K; the VIA street luminaires are available in 2700 K.
Steel or aluminium column on the coast?
Both work. With steel, choose hot-dip galvanised with an additional powder coat; aluminium needs no coating of its own. Always have the column selection checked where wind loads are high.
Does a VIA luminaire fit a 4 metre column?
Yes. The luminaires tilt on a 60 mm spigot, and for 4 metres there is a compact 25 W model with 1,500 lumens.
Can Lichtplein produce the lighting design?
Yes. A lighting calculation for your neighbourhood or site costs 350 euros excluding VAT and gives column spacing, wattage and uniformity per street.
View the street luminaires of VIA and the post-top luminaires of POLARIS, or request a lighting calculation for your own coastal residential area.
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