SUZHOU OLYMPIC SPORTS CENTRE

Apr 14, 2023

SUZHOU OLYMPIC SPORTS CENTRE

Suzhou, China
Façade, Public Circulation & Landscape Lighting

Architect: gmp Architekten
Completion year: 2018
Photos: Christian Gahl, Jianghe Zeng, UAP

The new Olympic Sports Centre in Suzhou comprises three stadiums and a commercial tower on a 421,040 m² plot size. The landmark-like buildings are connected by a rich landscape. Light is a key element to the success of the iconic appearance of the complex.
The architecture is carefully lit, allowing the stadiums to visually standout on top of the terraced landscape podiums. Light engages with the architectural design of the unifying roof shapes and smooth lamella facades. It underlines the dynamic of the stadiums while the connecting landscape forms the visually dimmed and more varying foundation of the composition.

IES Illumination Awards 2020: International Merit

The new Olympic Sports Centre in Suzhou comprises three stadiums and a commercial tower on a 421,040 m² plot size. The landmark-like buildings are connected by a rich landscape. Light is a key element to the success of the iconic appearance of the complex.
The architecture is carefully lit, allowing the stadiums to visually standout on top of the terraced landscape podiums. Light engages with the architectural design of the unifying roof shapes and smooth lamella facades. It underlines the dynamic of the stadiums while the connecting landscape forms the visually dimmed and more varying foundation of the composition.

IES Illumination Awards 2020: International Merit

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TERMINAL 4 SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT

Apr 12, 2023

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TERMINAL 4 SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT

Singapore
Artificial Lighting & Daylight

Executive Architect: SAA Architects
Design Architect: Benoy
Completion year: October 2017
Images: Benoy

The lighting design for T4 Changi Airport in Singapore was a unique opportunity. It allowed the integration of natural and artificial lighting from the initial concept to the project’s completion. The design prioritizes visual comfort and wayfinding. It also creates a sense of place that reflects Singapore’s local context. Inspired by the petal motif, the passenger journey through T4 offers pleasant surprises. This encourages travelers to slow down and appreciate the space rather than rushing through it.

The central galleria showcases these elements with its interior landscape, sky views, and abundant natural light. As night falls, subtle plays of light and color continue to enhance the space. This provides a seamless transition from day to night. Overall, its innovative airport lighting design highlights the significance of well-executed lighting in modern architecture.

Canopy with artificial lighting of Terminal 4 Singapore Airport

Interior view of Terminal 4 atrium, showcasing natural and artificial lighting

Interior of boarding gate area with the petal motif lighting elements

Interior view of Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4, showcasing self-check-in kiosks, a bag-drop area, and natural and artificial lighting with petal decorative ceiling elements.

Ceiling view showcasing petal-shaped organic skylights and integrated artificial lighting fixtures

Close-up view of pink, petal-shaped ceiling lights with organic design elements at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4.

Interior view of a corridor at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4, featuring moving walkways, petal-shaped ceiling lights

Interior view of Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4, featuring self-check-in kiosks, a large column and petal-shaped ceiling skylights

The lighting design for T4 Changi Airport in Singapore was a unique opportunity. It allowed the integration of natural and artificial lighting from the initial concept to the project’s completion. The design prioritizes visual comfort and wayfinding. It also creates a sense of place that reflects Singapore’s local context. Inspired by the petal motif, the passenger journey through T4 offers pleasant surprises. This encourages travelers to slow down and appreciate the space rather than rushing through it.

The central galleria showcases these elements with its interior landscape, sky views, and abundant natural light. As night falls, subtle plays of light and color continue to enhance the space. This provides a seamless transition from day to night. Overall, its innovative airport lighting design highlights the significance of well-executed lighting in modern architecture.

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SWARM STUDY / IX

Apr 11, 2023

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SWARM STUDY / IX

Chemnitz, Germany
Artificial Lighting & Lighting Control

Architect: Grüntuch Ernst Architekten
Light Art: Random International, London
Completion year: 2016
Images: Jan Bitter

The reconstruction of the main railway station in Chemnitz was intended to combine local and long-distance transport in one building, and to create an entrance to the city that connects itself to urban space in a special way.

Swarm Study / IX, stages the renovated main railway station in Chemnitz, Germany, which appears as an interactive LED façade which incorporates the movements of the surrounding and projects them as light movements on the façade. The artists were fascinated by the acrobatic efficiency of birdwings and translate them into this work with monochrome light in a minimalist way. Each individual light source in the façade is brought into collective “life”: when the swarm moves across the surface, each element acts according to its own rules as well as in constant dialogue with its surrounding neighbours.

German Lighting Design Award 2017: Finalist
IES Illumination Awards 2017: International Merit
LIT Awards 2017: Winners in Exterior Architectural Illumination
DARC Awards 2017: Finalist in Best Exterior Lighting Scheme

The reconstruction of the main railway station in Chemnitz was intended to combine local and long-distance transport in one building, and to create an entrance to the city that connects itself to urban space in a special way.

Swarm Study / IX, stages the renovated main railway station in Chemnitz, Germany, which appears as an interactive LED façade which incorporates the movements of the surrounding and projects them as light movements on the façade. The artists were fascinated by the acrobatic efficiency of birdwings and translate them into this work with monochrome light in a minimalist way. Each individual light source in the façade is brought into collective “life”: when the swarm moves across the surface, each element acts according to its own rules as well as in constant dialogue with its surrounding neighbours.

German Lighting Design Award 2017: Finalist
IES Illumination Awards 2017: International Merit
LIT Awards 2017: Winners in Exterior Architectural Illumination
DARC Awards 2017: Finalist in Best Exterior Lighting Scheme

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NATIONAL STADIUM WARSAW

Apr 5, 2023

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NATIONAL STADIUM WARSAW

Warsaw, Poland
Artificial Lighting

Architect: gmp Architekten
Completion year: 2012
Images: Florian Licht, Traxon Technologies, Lichtvision

The architect’s main brief was to transform the new landmark building at the centre of Warsaw at night time emphasizing the red and white painted perforated metal screens representing the national colors of Poland. Each panel received a uniform glow of light and was controlled individually enabling the creation of dynamic light scenes onto the facade.

Der Deutsche Lichtdesign-Preis 2013: Finalist
IES Award of Merit 2013
WAN Award 2014, shortlisted
illumni infinity award ‘Silver’
LDA Award 2013

The architect’s main brief was to transform the new landmark building at the centre of Warsaw at night time emphasizing the red and white painted perforated metal screens representing the national colors of Poland. Each panel received a uniform glow of light and was controlled individually enabling the creation of dynamic light scenes onto the facade.

Der Deutsche Lichtdesign-Preis 2013: Finalist
IES Award of Merit 2013
WAN Award 2014, shortlisted
illumni infinity award ‘Silver’
LDA Award 2013

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BAKU CRYSTAL HALL

Apr 5, 2023

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BAKU CRYSTAL HALL

Baku, Azerbaijan 
Artificial Lighting and Lighting Controls

Architect: gmp Architeckten, Alpine Bau
Completion year: 2012
Images: Florian Licht

Just in time for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, the Baku Crystal Hall – a modern, multi-functional event arena with a capacity of 23,000 spectators – could be completed in a record time of only eight months. The 206-metre-long and 168-metre-wide steel construction is clad with an illuminated membrane facade, which lends the building its characteristic crystalline appearance. During the dark hours the majestic hall’s facade is lit by 5,400 LED RGB light points that make a great visual impact.

IES Award of Merit 2013 
LAMP Award 2013, shortlisted 
illumni infinity award 2013 ‘Bronze’

Just in time for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, the Baku Crystal Hall – a modern, multi-functional event arena with a capacity of 23,000 spectators – could be completed in a record time of only eight months. The 206-metre-long and 168-metre-wide steel construction is clad with an illuminated membrane facade, which lends the building its characteristic crystalline appearance. During the dark hours the majestic hall’s facade is lit by 5,400 LED RGB light points that make a great visual impact.

IES Award of Merit 2013 
LAMP Award 2013, shortlisted 
illumni infinity award 2013 ‘Bronze’

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