Clifton Suspension Bridge
Project Overview
- Location Bristol, United Kingdom
- ClientClifton Suspension Bridge Trust
- Lighting ConsultantHoare Lea
- System IntegratorStudioTech
- CompletionFeb-26
GDS have played a key role in the architectural lighting refurbishment of Bristol’s world-famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, delivering the power and control systems that bring this historic structure to life following a major restoration programme.
Commissioned by the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust, the project forms part of a two-year refurbishment of the bridge’s iconic iron suspension chains and infrastructure, ensuring the long-term preservation of one of the UK’s most recognisable engineering achievements. The new state-of-the-art lighting scheme has been designed to enhance the bridge’s distinctive architectural features while delivering improved energy efficiency, flexibility, and long-term reliability.
Products Used
Drive Hub
The GDS Drive Hub is a fully scalable power and control platform designed to provide reliable, distributed control of architectural and entertainment lighting systems with world-class dimming.
Drive Cards
Hot-swappable modules for the Drive Hub system that supply power and control to multiple luminaires with exceptional dimming and remote configuration.
Power Frames
A modular, high-efficiency power supply system, The GDS Power Frame provides slots for 4 hot-swappable Power Blocks. It outputs a stable low voltage, high current feeds to multiple Card Frames.
Solutions Provided
A modern control platform for a historic landmark
At the heart of the installation is the GDS Drive Hub system, providing centralised, distributed power and control for the bridge’s extensive LED lighting infrastructure.
Working directly with lighting consultants at Hoare Lea, system integrator StudioTech, and the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust, GDS delivered a complete Drive Hub solution to power and control the linear RGBW LED luminaires installed along the suspension chains and tower cornices. These flexible linear fixtures emphasise the sweeping curves of the chains and the architectural detailing at the tops of the towers, forming a defining visual element of the new scheme.
The Drive Hub platform provides:
- Distributed, scalable power and control across the full length of the structure
- Precise dimming and colour control of RGBW LED fixtures
- Long-term reliability in a demanding outdoor and structural environment
- Easily accessible system architecture, simplifying maintenance and servicing of key components
The system supports approximately 660 metres of linear lighting integrated into the bridge’s suspension chains and tower architecture, alongside hundreds of additional lighting points designed to reveal structural and architectural details for the first time.
Supporting creative lighting and dynamic displays
The new LED lighting system enables the bridge to present a wide range of visual effects, including dynamic colour displays used during major civic events such as Bristol Light Festival. During the festival, the bridge was illuminated in a series of changing colour sequences celebrating the seasons and the ecology of the Avon Gorge below.
The Drive Hub system provides the robust and responsive control infrastructure required to deliver these effects reliably, while also supporting everyday operational lighting designed to enhance safety, minimise environmental impact, and preserve the character of this Grade I listed structure.
Each tower contains:
- 2 × Drive Hub Card Frames
- 1 × Drive Hub Power Frame
- Fully populated Card Frames equipped with 4-Channel Constant Voltage Drive Cards
In total, the system provides 14.4 kW of distributed power capacity across the two Power Frames. Fully redundant, modular architecture for long-term reliability
End-to-end involvement from concept to commissioning
GDS first engaged the trust back in 2019 and have worked directly with the wonderful teams at StudioTech and Hoare lea from early project stages through to final commissioning.
This collaborative approach ensured seamless integration of lighting control, power distribution, and creative intent, delivering a solution that meets both technical and aesthetic objectives of all parties.
Supporting the illumination of Clifton Suspension Bridge continues GDS’s established role in enabling the lighting of Bristol’s most important landmarks, providing reliable, future-proof control systems that respect the character and significance of historic and listed structures.
