Lighting specialists DW Windsor have delivered a sensitive upgrade that respects the original design while improving performance and sustainability. Working closely with contractor Enerveo, the team engineered over 100 replacement lanterns that replicate the distinctive ship masthead-inspired form whilst delivering precise, energy-efficient lighting.
One of the major challenges of the project was modernising the lantern’s dual-light-source design. Originally powered by SON and metal halide lamps, the new LED version uses two dedicated sources: crisp white light directed downward for functionality and a soft blue internal glow that preserves the lantern’s signature aesthetic.
Given its exposed coastal setting, the new design had to withstand the harshest of environments. Every component -from marine-grade paint and high-grade stainless steel to robust gaskets - was chosen for durability and tested rigorously for ingress protection. The lanterns were also carefully engineered to mount seamlessly onto the original columns and brackets, maintaining visual harmony across the quayside.
The manufacturing process was anything but off-the-shelf. A mix of cast and CNC-machined parts, along with custom-formed plastics, ensured the new lanterns met both engineering demands and heritage requirements. Size and weight also called for the inclusion of lifting points and strengthened fixings to ensure safe and secure installation.
“This project demonstrates what can be achieved when collaboration, craftsmanship and respect for heritage come together,” said Martyn Dancer, Interim Regional Director at Enerveo. “We’re proud to have helped deliver a solution that respects Gosport Harbour’s past and prepares it for the future.”
By blending tradition with innovation, the project exemplifies how thoughtful design can preserve the past while lighting the way forward.