Urban spaces and outdoor lighting
German Pavilion - Shanghai Expo, Shanghai
Kungsträdgårdsgatan, Stockholm
Czartoryskich Square, Cracow
Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
Drachenburg Palace, Königswinter
Benrath Palace, Düsseldorf
The New York Times Building, New York
Piazza Lorenzo Berzieri, Salsomaggiore Terme
Highline Park, New York
When night falls in the city
Today, metropolises around the world are competing for the most recognisable nighttime appearance, for striking light effects, a designed "lightscap". At the same time, the contrast between interior and exterior in architecture is steadily disappearing. At night, transparent buildings are transformed into structures that shine from within. Both in the dense urban spaces of the cities and in the surroundings of private buildings, the requirement is growing for precision lighting, for energy efficiency and for visual comfort. This necessitates a new generation of lighting equipment - highly precise design tools for light in the outdoor area.
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Using light to remember history
Differentiated lighting for memorials highlights historical objects in urban areas or landscapes at night. They form reminders of important persons or events. They create focal points at the end of axes on pathways, in squares and in parks or are themselves the centre of attention. The luminance contrast to the surroundings is crucial if memorials are to be perceived from a distance. In a scenic context with little ambient lighting, low levels of illumination are usually sufficient to accentuate buildings. A bright urban environment will require proportionately stronger accentuation.
Illuminating façades and lighting up architecture
Vertical surfaces in an urban setting contribute significantly to the spatial definition of squares, traffic routes and buildings. In addition to providing wallwashing effects on massive facades, a further option is to accentuate the building contours or individual building elements. In contrast to the illumination of a massive frontal elevation, glass architecture can give the impression of light shining outwards from the inside when specific areas inside the building are illuminated.
Developing master plans for the wider context
Similar to urban development master plans, the same is required in the context of lighting design to document its principles for the after-dark appearance of urban development, city centres and even entire regions. This includes enhanced orientation by focusing on traffic routes and guiding principles for the lighting design of sites.
Using light to help guide the way
One of the basic requirements for pathway lighting is to provide sufficient illuminance for people to see stairs and walk safely. A further help for orientation is light accents in the middle distance and in the background of the landscape, as these direct the attention and help guide the way.
Using illuminated trees to structure space
Trees are a key feature used to structure space in the outdoor area. Since the shape and size of the trunk and the canopy vary depending on the type of tree, both require specific lighting solutions. Illuminating the tree from more than one side using wide-beam light distributions ensures uniform brightness from every angle. Uplights near the trunk, on the other hand, accentuate it as a linear element and visually connect the canopy with the ground.
Dark Sky: Using light appropriately
Dark Sky requires that lighting design for outdoor areas is restricted to only that which is essential. This approach requires an effective design concept with a luminaire technology tailored to suit. Cooperation between lighting designers, architects, landscape architects, building owners, electrical installers and luminaire manufacturers is required for the successful implementation of a Dark Sky concept.
Using LED technology for efficient illumination
LEDs have an extremely long life and so ensure efficient operation, as they practically do not require any maintenance. Their luminous efficacy results in low energy costs. The brilliant light of the LEDs along with excellent colour rendering show materials off to advantage.
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The guidance system on types of illumination offers further perspectives as a useful tool for the designer, based on ERCO's philosophy of "light, not luminaires".
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The art deco book palace defines New York's cityscape and has appeared in countless movies. To mark its 100th birthday, the building was renovated and provided with new lighting - using ERCO spotlights mounted in unusual places.
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Highline ParkHighline Park
The park built on the historic rail line elevated above the streets in Manhattan is one of the most spectacular urban development projects in recent years. ERCO's lighting tools add to its attractive appearance at night.
Palace of International ForumsPalace of International Forums
Behind a traditional exterior, this prestigious building in the Uzbek capital features futuristic interior design and fascinating lighting design.
Intercontinental Paris Avenue Marceau HotelIntercontinental Paris Avenue Marceau Hotel
An illuminated facade acts as the public image of a luxury hotel, compliant with listed building legislation, dramatic - and yet energy efficient thanks to LED technology.
Vin ContoretVin Contoret
The company premises of the wine importer are nestled in a landscape made of gardens, meadows and stretches of water that turn into a riveting backdrop of light, shadows and reflections at night - with outdoor luminaires from ERCO.
Indre QuayIndre Quay
The Norwegian coastal town of Haugesund near Stavanger has given itself a makeover with a redesigned water front - the lighting effects are provided by ERCO.
New York Times BuildingNew York Times Building
Designed by Renzo Piano for the New York Times newspaper, Manhattan's new skyscraper boasts an approximately 300-metre tall facade illuminated by ERCO lighting tools.
- Outdoor projects in the Light Scout
- Places with urban and open spaces illuminated by ERCO
ERCO illuminates over 1300 urban space and landscape projects worldwide. Cities, municipalities and landscape designers have opted for ERCO's lighting tools and expertise to ensure professional lighting of their outdoor areas.
Transparent buildings are transformed at night into effigies shining from the inside out. The lighting concept inside carries over onto the outside and must be seamlessly combined with the outdoor lighting concept - including trees and other structuring elements in the garden and countryside.
In the field of landscaping, trees are the most important elements for forming areas. The shape and size of the trunk and tree crown vary depending on the type of tree. The most well-known tree forms are rounded, columnar, spreading and flat-crowned (e.g. a palm). The winter scene is characterised by filigree branches, while in the summer the leaves of the crown thicken to form a voluminous mass. In addition to the shape, the appearance of trees is also characterised by blossom and foliage in the course of the seasons.
Published in November 2010
Light and shadow: airports need innovation,
Carrasco International Airport, Montevideo
Terminal T3, Malaga
Hotel Santa Marta, Lloret de Mar
Hotel Nixe, Binz
,Expo Shanghai 2010: German Pavilion
Published in December 2008
New York Times Building, New York
Kunsthalle Emden, Emden
Published in January 2008
MUDAM, Luxemburg
VinContoret, Tidaholm
Privathaus bei Düsseldorf
Wohnanlage 'Beim Dorf', Düsseldorf
Palmengarten, Frankfurt
Published in September 2006
Palazzo della Borsa Vecchia, Triest
Simon-Loschen-Turm, Bremerhaven
Published in August 2005
Museum Norveg, Norveg,
Badesteg Kastrup Søbad, Kopenhagen
Bach Memorial, Leipzig
Published in April 2005
Metropolitan Light: Berlin
A forum of experts discuss the 'dark sky' issue
Illuminating façades - lighting concepts /lighting technology
Loher Wäldchen, Lüdenscheid
Panticosa Resort, Panticosa
Published in September 2004
Lightmark bollard luminaires
Lightmark facade luminaires
Rebstockbad, Frankfurt am Main,
Museo del Teatro de Caesaraugusta, Zaragoza
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