FACADES

ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING

1
 INTRODUCTION
CONTENT THE FIVE METHODS

SEGMENT FOCUS
Our new guide has been brought together to share
our experience and knowledge of working with some
PLAZAS
of the world’s most renowned lighting specifiers.
HOSPITALITY
We wanted to share some inspirational projects
across all of the segments that we work in whilst PUBLIC BUILDINGS
sharing our knowledge of what to consider
when designing with light. We will discuss the RESIDENTIAL
fundamental factors that should be considered
before we even start that first sketch. OFFICE
This guide introduces the five fundamental STADIUM
methods of how light can be applied or integrated
into an architectural façade. Through a series of RETAIL
inspirational case studies (within all segments) we
aim to provide a full picture of what can be achieved APPLICATION FUNDAMENTALS
through a multi-disciplinary design approach.

THE PRODUCTS

2
 THE CREATIVE
DRIVING
FORCE IN
ARCHITECTURAL
LIGHTING

Front page
Project Title: Oxford Street, London
Lighting Design: Lighting Design International
Photography: Andrew Beasley

This page
Project Title: Kimpton Fitzroy, London
Lighting Design: Lighting Design International
Photography: Gavriil Papadiotis

3
 WE CREATE
AMAZING
EXPERIENCES
WITH LIGHT
Lighting can turn spaces into
experiences.

Using the captivating power

of light, we change the way
people see or react to buildings,
environments and the space
around them.

Project Title: Serpentine Pavilion, London

Lighting Design: Aecom
Photography: Zumtobel

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 THE FIVE METHODS
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO ILLUMINATE?

SPOT GRAZE FLOOD INTEGRATE BACK LIT

Building surface mounted Ground recessed or building Offsetting from the façade can Integrating points or lines of Backlighting a glazed façade
luminaires providing a high surface mount linear luminaires provide a uniform lit effect bathing light can help to frame each level defines the background to our view
contrast solution with a close providing a close off set graze the façade in a consistent colour, or or specific points of a façade, establishing a visual reference
offset accentuating the material, seamlessly integrated into the lines with narrow beams enables specific accentuating the scale and height point within its context. The
colour and finish of a building. of the architecture. features to be picked out. following the contours of a façade coordination of the architectural
providing a dynamic scene of light. detail and material type is key to
The PLAZA family can be installed BLADE provides an uninterrupted Multiple beam angles within the the consistency of the lit effect.
on multiple levels and between consistent graze in a choice of FUSION and PLAZA families enable VISTA and PLAZA R provide
the windows to accentuate the outputs and beam angles able to a balanced lit effect offset from specification options for an The BLADE family provides a
architectural aesthetic and history pick out each level or a complete the façade enabling a consistent integrated solution with a consistent backlighting graze for
with a visually comfortable façade from the ground with a low lit effect or one with more contrast homogenous lit appearance from maximum visual impact through a
solution. glare solution. from a more accessible location. a wide viewing angle enabling a coordinated façade design.
striking lit effect setting the façade
within its context.

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 PLAZAS
THROUGH INTEGRATED LIGHT WE FRAME THE PLAZA, THROUGH
GUIDANCE WE OPEN UP NEW SPACE, ENABLING YOU TO EXPERIENCE,
EXPLORE AND PLAY

6
 PLAZAS
Light is a significant layer in defining new urban design enabling
and encouraging social interaction for the ever changing needs and
expectations of the community. Light provides a sense of place thereby
increasing accessible spaces in the hours of darkness where people can
meet, enjoy & congregate.

Creative architectural lighting design creates value by designing a

masterplan that encourages social activity – making a space attractive,
creating a relationship between the urban setting and the people,
encouraging them to spend more time, more money, increasing the ‘dwell’
time in the hours of darkness.

Light shapes our view, our opinion of a space, how long we will stay and
can define whether we will come back again, it helps shape our urban
space in the hours of darkness, bringing out the materials, textures
and finishes of the surfaces around us. New technologies have enabled
lighting to be considered earlier in the design process allowing for the
luminaires to be integrated providing a seamless and integrated solution
so that by day the building is seen in full view and then by night the
luminaires and the lit effect bring the building to life.

Page Above Left Page

Project Title: Kings Cross, London Project Title: Royal Opera House, London
Lighting Design: StudioFractal Lighting Design: StudioFractal
Photography: Will Scott Photography: James Newton

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 GRAZE SPOT
KINGS CROSS, LONDON ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, LONDON

The Kings Cross plaza at the centre of the ground, and additional London’s Royal Opera of the plaza in Covent
in central London masterplan with the levels, accentuating the BLADE LRi House was given a new Garden, London to be
PLAZA S
provides a fine balance careful interplay of warmth of texture of lease of life following a captured.
of architectural, the façade with the the brick. An end to end spectacular programme
functional and landscape lighting installation ensures a of refurbishment, bringing The very narrow beam
integrated lighting to defining the space. continuous warm linear people closer to the arts. of the PLAZA picks out
reveal a new public The BLADE family was graze. the edge of each pillar
space. carefully integrated FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BLADE The subtle interplay of grazing light up each side
The balance of layers into the architecture contrast revealing the enhancing the scale and
of light puts people to graze up from the crisp edge of each pillar height of the perimeter.
enables the perimeter FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PLAZA S

2700K 3000K 4000K

Project Title: Kings Cross, London Project Title: Royal Opera House, London
Lighting Design: StudioFractal Lighting Design: StudioFractal
Photography: Will Scott Photography: James Newton
2700K 3000K 4000K

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 GUIDE
MARINA BAY SANDS, SINGAPORE

The Marina Bay is of expressed lines special definition and

a multifunctional of light, arranged to volume, and finally VISTA
waterfront events plaza reflect the geometry to encourage activity
where guests can sit of the ‘circulation’, through the dynamic lit
and enjoy the views and respond to effect.
of the bay or watch the dimensions of
phenomenal night time the platforms. The FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VISTA
lightshows. solution focused on
The lighting design providing direction and
comprised a series orientation, a sense of

THROUGH
Above and Right INTEGRATED LIGHT WE FRAME THE PLAZA, THROUGH
Project Title: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
GUIDANCE WE
Lighting Design: Project OPEN
Lighting UP NEW SPACE, ENABLING YOU TO EXPERIENCE,
Design Singapore
2700K 3000K 4000K

Photography: Peter C Schott and OnEvent Singapore

EXPLORE AND PLAY.

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 HOSPITALITY
LIGHT THAT DEFINES THE EXPERIENCE AND
WILL BE YOUR REASON FOR COMING BACK

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 HOSPITALITY
The visitor is the guest at the centre of the hospitality experience, every
moment is focused upon their enjoyment of each space. By lighting the
façade we begin to define the location and we also capture the moment,
the imagination of the guest. Layers of light carefully integrated into the
architecture accentuate the colours, finishes and textures determining
the look and feel carefully married with the branding of the location.

Whether it is a global or local brand there is an increasing customer

expectation that a hospitality space reflects its locality, people want to
learn something, the hotel is the social hub encouraging the growth of
the surrounding neighbourhood, and it is the lighting that will help form
this experience and their opinion.

The method of the application of light will vary depending upon the
aesthetic of the building in conjunction with the brand identity.
Should the building be an historic façade, then the lighting should look
to accentuate that history by capturing the texture and finish of the
stonework. In comparison it may be a very modern façade with a glazed
finish, so care and consideration should be given to the consistency of the
lit effect, no shadow gaps, a consistent colour and lit effect, it’s all about
that fine detail.

Left Page
Project Title: Dubai Creek Golf Club
Photography: BJ Bova, Aerial Photography

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 GRAZE FLOOD
PALAZZO VERSACE, DUBAI DUBAI CREEK GOLF CLUB, DUBAI

Reminiscent of a lighting designers lighting scheme to Dubai Creek Golf Club is FUSION RGBW
16th century Italian Light Touch went provide a glare free
BLADE one of the most iconic floodlights were fixed
FUSION
Palace, Palazzo Versace for a solution of uniform wash of the buildings in the city. Not on existing stones
Dubai is a neoclassical inconspicuous façade and a warm and only does it appear on and poles. With their
masterpiece with luminaires that not welcoming atmosphere the 20 dirham banknote, neutral aesthetic, they
subtle traces of Arabian only blend in with for arriving guests. it was created by one of unobtrusively enhance
architecture. As in most the architecture but Greater contrast is then Dubai’s most renowned the architecture. Using
luxury hotel projects, also offer best quality provided by surface architect practices a Sensa DMX, different
the design demanded lighting with precision mount floods punching – GAJ. moods and schemes can
unobtrusive luminaires optics to deliver light up with a narrow beam. In 2017, the lighting be created.
that complement the where it is required. scheme was reimagined.
true essence of the The BLADE family was
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BLADE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FUSION RGBW
House of Versace. The selected for the façade
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Project Title: Palazzo Versace, Dubai Project Title: Dubai Creek Golf Club, Dubai
Lighting Design: LightTouch Photography: BJ Bova, Aerial Photography

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 SPOT
KIMPTON FITZROY HOTEL, EDINBURGH

This project’s goal was of three tiers, with the of the main entrance.
to create a sense of family of exterior PLAZA By using a family of
PLAZA S
restored grandeur to spotlights applied PLAZA luminaires,
the historic Principal throughout. Starting different effects
façade. Part of that from the ground floor were created across
meant accenting the upwards the PLAZA the hotel’s frontage
façade’s architectural has been installed upon while maintaining a
elements. Fittings had custom arm brackets consistent look, feel
to be discreet, lighting to downlight the and colour temperature.
pollution kept to a archways towards the FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PLAZA S
minimum and energy floor welcoming visitors
savings maximised. to the hotel by down-
The façade is made up lighting both sides

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Project Title: The Principal Hotel, Edinburgh Page Right

Lighting Design: Lighting Design Project Title: Kimpton Fitzroy, London (Formerly The Principal Hotel)
International Lighting Design: Lighting Design International
Photography: Gavriil Papadiotis Photography: Gavriil Papadiotis

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 PUBLIC BUILDINGS
BY LIGHTING PUBLIC BUILDINGS WE RESPECT THE HISTORY AND
THEIR ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY

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 PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Whether it is an historic building that has stood at the centre of a
community for hundreds of years or a modern slick building that is
helping to bring a community together public buildings represent and are
an essential part of public life.

Public buildings are used throughout the day and into the hours of
darkness and as such it is important that the route to and from them is
safe, that the entrance is framed, that it is seen as a destination, a point
of contact.

Illuminating those key buildings in a community brings pride to many,

it defines peoples’ view, it brings to life key historic buildings allowing
people to see them in a different form, to reveal secrets, to provide
intrigue. It enables people to see the form and character of a building that
is not seen or maybe understood in the daytime.

The hours of darkness allow the designer to reveal the character, the
scale, the size of a building, how it sits within its context, how it plays its
part in the history and growth of an urban environment - all through the
application of artificial lighting.

Above Page Right Page

Project Title: City of Nis, Croatia Project Title: Stadkamer, Zwolle, Netherlands
Lighting Design: Zumtobel Group Lighting Design: Zumtobel Group

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 FLOOD SPOT
AVALA TOWER, BELGRADE GPO, SYDNEY

Standing at 204.5m, The high output is an important national Set amongst was designed to ensure
Avala Tower is a well- FUSION with precision reference point for the
FUSION commercial towers that during the day
PLAZA S
known landmark in optics picks out the people of Belgrade. of the Sydney Central the luminaires are not
Belgrade. It is currently Avala Tower within its FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FUSION
Business District is seen but at night they
the tallest tower in protected blackened the heritage building bring the façade to life
the Balkan region and surrounding landscape, of the GPO. It is a capturing the warmth
the most important defining its importance prominent piece of of the sandstone finish
telecommunication in the history of the Australian architectural and carefully picking
facility to serve city. As a symbol of history with classical out the statues and
television and radio new technologies and sandstone and granite ornamental work
broadcasters. prosperity, the 204.5m carvings, statues and - providing a low
tall broadcasting tower RGBW ornamental work. maintenance solution.
The lighting scheme FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PLAZA S

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Project Title: Avala Tower, Serbia Project Title: GPO, Sydney, Australia
Lighting Design: Light Design Centre Lighting Design: Point of View

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 BACKLIT
STADKAMER, NETHERLANDS

Stadkamer is an The lighting scheme static colour for an early

organisation and hub is a perfect balance evening moving to a BLADE Sx
for information and of architectural and more dynamic scene
advice, education lighting detailing, when the same building
and development, enabling the façade is used for the youth
language, literature, and hub to become club of an evening.
performances, art and the centre of the FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BLADE
culture. It’s a place community at night,
where families and whereby the subtle
friends can read and movement of colour
borrow books, study helps to represent
and work, socialise and the activity inside the RGBW
meet for coffee. building, allowing a

Project Title: Stadkamer Page Right

Lighting Design: Zumtobel Group Project Title: GPO Building Sydney
Lighting Design: Point of View

17
 RESIDENTIAL
LIGHT THAT CREATES AN EMOTIONAL BOND WITH OUR HOME
AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

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 RESIDENTIAL
From the external lighting of a country home or to a large development
of premium flats, it is the lighting that defines the architecture and the
people that live there. Our home is our space, it is where we can ignore
the world and focus on us.
Where we entertain, where we sleep, where we’re in control.

The control of the lighting is key, not just the dimming, but the high
consideration for visual comfort. It is the fine balance between making
the building prominent within its context and making sure the light does
not infringe upon the individual homes, pouring light into the internal
spaces and those around.

Residential architectural lighting is completed in balance with the

surroundings, whether public or private, and it is that balance of
contrasts that defines our view, our focus. Lighting design may include
landscape lighting picking out pathways and steps needing to provide
more functional levels of light to define the route or for private space
using light to create intrigue through contrast as we move around the
space, creating pockets of light for rest and contemplation.

Residential architectural lighting is the fine balance of the architecture,

the scale, the texture and materials, the landscape of water and
planting to create a warm personal space that we recognise is ours, and
represents us.

Right Page
Project Title: Gas Holders, London
Lighting Design: Speirs + Major
Photography: James Newton

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 FLOOD SPOT
BROADCASTING TOWER, LEEDS PRIVATE RESIDENCE

At 70m high, cubic bold angles. Yet outputs to capture Woodeaves is a new- Ground recessed are carefully positioned
Broadcasting Tower by night, this simply the varying heights, FUSION build residential spotlights are recessed around the landscape PLAZA R
dominates the Leeds stunning structure is perfectly picking out project sitting easily into the sandstone for planting and the
skyline by day, unlit and thus, virtually the sharp overhanging in its surroundings, flagging grazing up the garden perimeter.
thanks not only to its invisible. angles, with the BLADE with the lighting two storey height with FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PLAZA R
distinctive, weathered luminaires grazing the carefully picking out lower output miniature
steel cor-ten exterior A combination of lower levels to ground the materials such as recessed luminaires
but also due to the FUSION 24’s and 48’s the building. Cheshire brick, raw integrated to pick out
building’s strong enable the different FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FUSION
oak, grey slate and red the entrance or simply
sandstone all typical of used as marker lights.
the area.
Miniature spotlights

Project Title: Broadcasting Tower, UK 2700K 3000K 4000K Project Title: Private Residence 2700K 3000K 4000K
Lighting Design: Louise Woodfield, ECS Electrical Engineers, E-life Home Automation

20
 Project Title: Gas Holders, London
Lighting Design: Speirs + Major
Photography: James Newton

21
 OFFICE
LAYERS OF LIGHT THAT DEFINE THE FOCUS, THE JOURNEY AND THE
DESIRE TO GO BACK

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 OFFICE
The office environment is more than the desk. The importance of external
breakout space to provide escapism is key for those that work there to
encourage inspiration. The same space and surrounding façades become
our route home, they define our sense of orientation and direction,
helping to model our bodies and faces in the light defining our sense of
safety.

Where there are a number of buildings within a new development,

connected by a public plaza below it is the lighting that will make
the difference at night, between contrast and colours, of styles of
architecture, of different brands occupying the buildings.

The considered balance of the foreground and background, of contrasts

between the vertical and horizontal, between integrated lighting to
furniture, to uplighting to trees, to grazing light up the vertical to pick out
the scale and focus of the external space.

Façade lighting enables us to capture the enormity of a new structure

within its context, to make the difference between one building and
another, to create the right balance of old and new. Balance ensures that
light is not poured into the night sky, that it is the lighting and lit effect
that encourage people to be safe, and to spend more time to explore,
experience and play.
Left Page:
Project Title: Trudbenik, Belgrade
Lighting Design: Zumtobel Group
Photography: Ljubomir Grgurovic

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 GRAZE GRAZE
LONDON WALL PLACE, LONDON BOROUGHMUIR SCHOOL, EDINBURGH

Amidst the hustle St. Alphage church and wall within the ramped The vibrant colour providing a subtle with excellent colour
and bustle of central the roman London wall garden, picking up the BLADE LRi framing the entrance of backdrop and defined rendering, installed end
BLADE LRi AND SX
London there’s a slice – connected by the new textured finish, creating the new Boroughmuir perimeter view of the to end for a continuous
of tranquillity – London lighting scheme. a soft background to school has been picked newly defined external wall wash effect.
Wall Place. Commuters Buried uplights were the planters. out within the urban public space in front of FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BLADE
and city dwellers can integrated at the FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BLADE
landscape through the the school.
relax in the one acre base of columns to detailed integration The compact BLADE
of landscaped space highlight the main of linear architectural family provides an
set between office structural elements uplights, grazing up the even, continuous
buildings. Making of the surrounding double height space, and powerful output
the area even more building, while lines of
enticing is the ruins of light highlight the back

Project Title: London Wall Place, London 2700K 3000K 4000K 2700K 3000K 4000K
Lighting Design: StudioFractal
Architect: MAKE UK, Spacehub Landscape Architects UK Project Title: Boroughmuir School, Edinburgh
Photography: James Newton Lighting Design: BuroHappold

24
 SPOT
TRUDBENIK, BELGRADE

The seamlessly carefully positioned into scale and detail of the

integrated architectural the façade so as to pick new architecture. PLAZA S
lighting to the fin out the vertical fins at FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PLAZA S
design of the new office all levels. The PLAZA S
façade in Belgrade has is installed on multiple
created a new focal levels to pick out the
point in the centre detail going up and
of the city with the down so capture each
architectural lighting soffit level framing the

Above
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Project Title: Trudbenik, Belgrade Page Right
Lighting Design: Zumtobel Group Project Title: Kipco Tower, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Photography: Ljubomir Grgurovic Lighting Design: Kevan Shaw Lighting Design

25
 STADIUM
LIGHTING A STADIUM CREATES A STRONG VISUAL IDENTITY. IT IS A
DESTINATION WHERE THE EXPERIENCE CONTINUES INSIDE

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 STADIUM
The stadium is the very symbol of heritage, the history of your club
that has for many years been at the centre of so many peoples
hearts, through the good times and bad. The first glance of the new
stadium shapes those first impressions that last in the memory,
defining the status of the stadium in the clubs history - making the
fans proud.

The stadium is not only a significant piece of architecture, it is the

symbol of the club, the fans and the centre of community. It will be
brought to life in the hours of darkness through a considered balance
of architectural, functional and entertainment lighting building the
anticipation from the moment we leave our homes, the moment we
step off the train, we want to be a part of this.

Lighting allows us to capture a moment through colour, contrast and

control defining our memories, our images, our time.

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 GRAZE FLOOD
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR, LONDON BANKWEST STADIUM, SYDNEY

The new Tottenham to spend more time BLADE has ensured an The FUSION RGBW team the Parramatta The same can be done
Hotspur Stadium in in and around it. The easy to install luminaire
BLADE Sx floodlights were Eels, the façade can for corporate events, FUSION
London defines a new careful and considered with a consistent & installed at the 30,000 be lit up blue, but with branding colours
era of stadium design, application of the linear continuous dynamic lit seat multi-purpose when the Western applied.
becoming the centre BLADE luminaire to effect throughout. facility providing Sydney Wanderers FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FUSION
of the community. provide a vertical graze FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BLADE
creative freedom take to the pitch in a
The lighting defines and a colour halo on the and improving the different season – it’s
that view from afar, roof has defined the key fan experience. effortlessly turned red
the experience of views of the launch of Supporting the home using DMX controllers.
safety and wanting the new stadium. The

RGBW RGBW
Project Title: Tottenham Hotspur, London Project Title: Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
Lighting Design: BuroHappold Architect: Populous
Design Company: Stowe Australia

28
 GRAZE
ALLIANZ ARENA, GERMANY

With its comprehensive The lighting group occasion of the game

lighting expertise, is implementing a against Belgrade. BLADE Sx
the Zumtobel Group complete lighting FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BLADE
redesigned the inner solution in several
roof area of the Allianz areas of the Allianz
Arena, one of the Arena. The first part,
world’s most modern the inner roof area, has
stadiums, with new now been completed
lighting technology. with the lights officially
turned on for the

RGBW

Right
Project Title: Tottenham Hotspur, London
Project Title: Allianz Arena, Germany Lighting Design: BuroHappold

29
 RETAIL
THROUGH LIFETIME, QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY. LIGHT THAT CREATE AN
EXPERIENCE, DEFINING THE IDENTITY FOR THE LONG TERM

30
 RETAIL
To remain competitive and a place to meet, the retail mall must be
seen as an immersive environment that you want to go to from the
day and into the evening, stimulating the customers desire to spend
time, spend money and then to come back.

The full emotional experience from that first view from the metro or
parking of our car to walking through the entrance and inside to each
retail unit and hospitality. The lighting must capture that experience,
the transition from one space to another, from the car park, to the
landscape to the façade and inside, that fine balance of layers of light
defining our view and those first impressions.

Lighting provides a retail mall with the opportunity to evolve, to

respond to specific events with a dynamic solution, bringing in
coloured light to represent for example a charity day or a specific
brand colour for a new launch, a dynamic solution provides
opportunity and flexibility.

The retail mall is open for many hours of the week and a key
consideration for the retail mall is the efficiency and operating costs
of the lighting system, including the full lifecycle of the luminaires
ensuring that the customer has the confidence in the product
performance, their reliability and longevity for maintenance.

Right Page
Project Title: Knightsbridge Estate, London
Lighting Design: GIA Equation
Photography: James Newton

31
 GRAZE BACKLIT
LOUIS VUITTON, CHICAGO OLDHAM TOWN HALL, MANCHESTER

The façade of the modern glass window street level, in a manner A highly contemporary space into a truly public space.
Louis Vuitton store bays that maximise cohesive with the BLADE LRi new illuminated unique experience. The BLADE with a BLADE Sx
in Chicago was part retail presence for the lighting design for the façade comprising The lighting designer remote driver and linear
renovation and part client. building facade as a a translucent glass (BDP) specified the beam in a single colour
preservation, involving whole. light wall has created linear offering enough white has created
the painstaking Ground recessed linear FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BLADE
a new identity for power and brightness a colour consistent
restoration of beautiful luminaires reveal the Oldham Town Hall as to illuminate each of lit effect along the
original elements and beauty and rhythm part of a conversion the 257 translucent complete façade and
the integration of new in the architecture at into a state of the art glazed panels creating project.
cinema with new retail a vibrant, modern FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BLADE
units, transforming landmark and thereby
the building and providing a new,
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surrounding public exciting and welcoming

Project Title: Louis Vuitton, Chicago, USA Project Title: Oldham Town Hall, Manchester
Lighting Design: Schuler Shook Lighting Design: BDP
Architect: Booth Hansen Photography: BDP/Nick Caville

32
 SPOT
OXFORD STREET, LONDON

Occupying 89m of picking out features To ensure no glare

Oxford Street, the that would render the is experienced by PLAZA S
combination of façades façades character best pedestrians or building
is situated on one of at night. occupants, the fittings
the busiest and most are equipped with glare
prestigious shopping RAL finished fittings snoots and louvres
destinations in London. ensured an unobtrusive where necessary
solution so as to match finished in a matt black
The project brief was the various mounting to ensure glare control
to unify the block of surfaces, ensuring is optimal.
buildings through minimal visual impact FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PLAZA S
a lighting scheme, on the façade by day.

Above Right
Project Title: Oxford Street, London Project Title: Victoria’s Secret, London 2700K 3000K 4000K
Lighting Design: Lighting Design International Lighting Design: Office of Light
Photography: Andrew Beasley

33
 APPLICATION
FUNDAMENTALS CONTEXT AND VIEW

CONTRAST

COLOUR

CONTROL

PEOPLE

GLOBAL

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 CONTEXT AND VIEW
Lighting external façades brings value and interest to an urban
environment - it brings people into a community and thereby brings
investment. Architectural lighting can include a complete plaza or
a street, it is not always only a single façade, the application of a
careful and considered scheme gives the façade and external space
an identity in the hours of darkness.

By considering the role the building(s) play in the community and

how one façade is balanced with another, we are able to create point
of reference within an urban environment, using light as meeting
points, points of destination, communal space in the hours of
darkness.

Architectural lighting should be seamlessly integrated to enable a

building to be seen and appreciated during the day and then bring the
building to life in the hours of darkness.

The specifier should consider the mounting options available to

illuminate the building and consider the use of the building. How do
people use it, interact with it and how should the external lighting
consider this?

Left Page:
Project Title: Oxford Street, London
Lighting Design: Lighting Design International
Photography: Andrew Beasley

35
 CONTRAST
Urban design should enable key points of interest to be focal points at
night, careful planning with the integration of architectural lighting to
a space will encourage people to spend more time outside, to explore,
experience, enjoy and play.

It is the play of light and shadow and the ratio between the two that
will shape a project, will a façade be lit with a uniform wash of light by
fittings that are offset, or have surface mount linear fittings grazing up
the façade framing the height, colour and texture? How will this balance
with the perimeter public lighting or lighting to the urban streets?

The lighting integrated into a façade can also be a key ingredient in

the lighting to the public realm space below and around. Through
backlighting or integrated lighting, the direct and diffused light provides a
positive contribution to the public realm illumination.

Right Page
Project Title: The Principal Hotel, Edinburgh
Lighting Design: Lighting Design International
Photography: Gavriil Papadiotis

36
 COLOUR
Consideration should be given to the context of the building with regards to colour
being applied and a review of the adjacent buildings, to ensure that a competition
does not ensue. Consider the type of building, its use, and whether colour should be
applied at all. Think of the material specification and finish of the building and how
light can enhance this not eliminate.

Looking at the different types of finish; for an historical building the finish is often
matt in a warm coloured stone. We can emphasise and bring this to life in the hours
of darkness with a warm colour temperature of 2700K or 3000K. Consideration can
also be given to a dynamic white solution enabling the specifier to pick ‘the right
white.’ Through the control of the light a specific white can be achieved that brings
the texture and form of the building to life. It may also be the case that the scheme
itself is dynamic over the period of an evening, or one week and more, changing the
way people perceive a building at different times or days.

Modern building techniques have meant that the colour of the light is very important
in drawing out the colour and finish of the façade. An example is CorTen steel
(weathering steel) with the rusting orange textured finish, but in the hours of
darkness if it is not lit it disappears. If warm white light is projected upon the façade
the colour and warmth begins to be defined, and if the contrast upon the façade is
varied by ‘picking out’ architectural details by using different beam angles then the
character is further defined.
 
Where colour is required, use it to represent an activity, a movement, a special
occasion. Bringing a new positive visual impact to an urban space.

If a façade is glazed further investigation should be given to whether it is clear, opal

or frosted in some way, helping to determine a suitable lit effect. It may also be
suitable to consider how the internal lighting of a building can express the external
appearance at night. Thereby saving on installation costs, energy consumption and
further maintenance costs.

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 CONTROL
Control doesn’t have to mean blue to red to yellow over three seconds, it
can be the play of the intensity of the light, a change from warm white
to cool white. Having only a few defined scenes of light that change
automatically over a year during the seasons.

The control of the lit effect can enable the viewer to have a new
experience, a different view of the space around them because of how
it is controlled, changing the identity and thereby the look and feel of a
space each time they return.

Control can mean the slow movement of light that responds to the
movement of people, or changing the colour to respond or pay respect to
a global charity day.

How the external space is used at night can inform the control of lighting,
as the hours of darkness grow into the early hours of the following day
that not all of the scheme is still on, and this control may differ from
weekdays to the weekend too as the use of the external space differs.

Right Page
Project Title: Royal Opera House, London
Lighting Design: StudioFractal
Photography: James Newton

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 PEOPLE
People are at the centre of any new lighting design to enable them to
have new positive shared experiences in the urban space.

We should consider how people will interact with the space that is
being lit, their view point so that they do not see into the light source,
the view internally out and vice versa. Fundamentally it is how the
light attracts them back to a space, to make them feel safe and at
ease in the external environment and being proud.

Light can define a personal space without the physical visual noise
of other objects, as the lighting is integrated into its surroundings,
enabling an open public realm to come to life in the hours of
darkness, allowing people to be alone, sit with friends, enjoy the view
around them, making them feel safe.

The control of architectural lighting is key to enhancing this

experience, and thereby how accessories are applied or how the
lighting is dimmed to create scenes of light to reflect the time of day,
or year, a key local event or a national day.

Left Page:
Project Title: The Regent Bridge, Edinburgh
Lighting Design: FOTO-MA
Photography: Stuart Armitt

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 SPOT

PRODUCTS
LAUNCH
SPRING 2020

OUR APPROACH
PLAZA S3x PLAZA S7x PLAZA S7i PLAZA S12i PLAZA S20i PLAZA S30i
4

acdc are a global leader

in outdoor architectural
and building surround
illumination, with a broad LAUNCH
SPRING 2020
LAUNCH
SPRING 2020

portfolio of luminaires PLAZA R3i PLAZA R7i PLAZA R12i

PLAZA R20i

PLAZA R30i

designed using market

FLOOD
leading technologies

FUSION 12 FUSION 24 FUSION 48

GRAZE

BLADE LRi BLADE Si BLADE Sx BLADE Micro

INTEGRATE

FINO FLEX FINO VISTA LRx VISTA Sx

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 GUIDE

PRODUCTS
LAUNCH

OUR APPROACH
AUTUMN 2020
VERTIGO C3x VERTIGO C7x VERTIGO C7i VERTIGO C12i | 20i | 30i VERTIGO W3x VERTIGO W7x
p60 VERTIGO

PRODUCT DESIGN
EXCELLENCE
Through an uncompromising commitment to
LAUNCH LAUNCH LAUNCH
design and innovation, we have established SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020
ourselves as a global leader in LED lighting. ORA RC12i ORA RC20i ORA RC30i ORA C12 ORA C20 ORA C30

APPLICATION
EXPERTISE
Starting with the application in mind, our multi-
disciplinary design team come from a diverse lighting
ECLIPSE W1i C ECLIPSE W2i C ECLIPSE W1i SQ ECLIPSE W2i SQ p6
background, developing products that have a consistent
aesthetic that complements the architectural landscape
bringing it to life at night.

TECHNOLOGY
ENGINEERING AND AESTHETIC MONDO WR1i CF MONDO WR1i CD MONDO WR1i SQ MONDO WR1i VR MONDO WR1i HR MONDO WR1x

Challenging what’s gone before is the norm

within our design process, in terms of technology,
materials and engineering, recognising that today’s
great is tomorrow’s average.

MONDO B5i MONDO W5i

41
 www.acdclighting.com
Tel: +44 (0)845 862 6400
[email protected]

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