Thames Tower High Striker: Transforming a Landmark into an Interactive Work of Public Art
As part of Light Up Reading, the spectacular finale to Reading’s Year of Culture 2016, Stuart Melrose was commissioned by Landid Group and Reading Borough Council to create one of the festival’s headline installations.
The brief was simple but ambitious: create something magical that would stop people in their tracks, encourage interaction and show one of Reading’s newest landmarks in a completely unexpected way.
The result transformed the fifteen-storey Thames Tower into one of the largest interactive public artworks ever created in the town.
A Building Becomes a Giant Screen
Rather than treating the building as something to illuminate, Stuart reimagined Thames Tower itself as the artwork.
Using its illuminated office windows as individual pixels, the entire façade became a giant low-resolution display capable of responding in real time to the public below. Animated light sequences spread across the building, transforming the tower into a living canvas visible across Reading’s skyline.
The project brought architecture, lighting, programming and public art together, inviting people to become part of the installation rather than simply observe it.
Reinventing the High Striker
At the heart of the installation stood a familiar fairground attraction with an unexpected twist. A traditional High Striker machine was completely re-engineered using custom electronics, sensors and wireless communication developed specifically for the project.
Every successful strike was transmitted directly to the lighting system inside Thames Tower, instantly triggering dramatic animations across the building. Connecting a nostalgic fairground game with a fifteen-storey architectural installation created an experience that was both playful and technically sophisticated.
Behind the scenes, the project required extensive development: designing the interactive concept, programming control systems, integrating wireless technology and coordinating the building’s lighting infrastructure. Each element had to work together reliably in a busy public setting.
Launching Light Up Reading
The Thames Tower High Striker officially launched Light Up Reading, a seventeen-day festival of eleven illuminated installations across Reading town centre, celebrating the conclusion of Reading’s Year of Culture.
Reading Football Club striker Joseph Mendes was invited to take the ceremonial first strike, activating the installation for the first time. As the adapted High Striker communicated wirelessly with the building, the fifteen-storey tower burst into life and officially opened one of Reading’s most ambitious public light festivals.
The launch attracted major public and media attention, including coverage from BBC News, ITV News, regional television crews, newspapers and photographers. Throughout the festival, thousands of visitors tested their strength and interacted directly with the artwork.
The High Striker was one of four commissions created by Stuart Melrose for Light Up Reading. Together, these projects explored how light, technology and public participation could reshape familiar places and create memorable shared experiences.
Project Highlights
Commission: Headline installation for Light Up Reading 2016 and Reading’s Year of Culture finale.
Commissioned by: Landid Group and Reading Borough Council.
Installation: Fifteen-storey Thames Tower transformed into an interactive digital light display.
Technology: Custom High Striker with sensors, electronics and wireless communication linked to architectural lighting.
Launch: Official first strike by Reading FC striker Joseph Mendes, with extensive local and national media coverage.
