Louvre, Paris: New sparkle for the glass pyramid

Lüdenscheid, 4th of April 2005 - the modernised lighting in the entrance building of the Musée du Louvre in Paris has been up and running since the end of 2004, bathing the unique building in new and contemporary, artificial scenic light. The metal halide lamps used are a convincing choice both optically and economically.

Right from its opening ceremony in 1989, the spectacular architectural solution from Ieoh Ming Pei has met with equal enthusiasm from both specialists and Paris tourists alike. The classic shape of the pyramid, implemented in a modern glass and steel construction, has served ever since as a contrasting entrance building for the time-honoured Louvre in Paris. Though it was the subject of controversy at the design stage, the Louvre's glass pyramid now seems to take its place quite naturally in the long tradition of Parisian architectural symbols.

Building clients and architect both wanted the nocturnal effect to be that of a glass building emitting light from within. Because a highly transparent building material such as glass lacks the reflection properties usually necessary for this, the lighting designer Claude Engle developed a completely new approach to architectural lighting. At the foot of the pyramid, with its impressive base length of 35 meters, specially designed luminaire mounting trays each holding five spotlights with narrow focus beam characteristics were integrated in a perimeter installation channel. These modular spotlight assemblies designed by ERCO capture the entire filigree load-bearing structure, thereby making the vitreous shell sparkle. In 1989, the optimum light source for this purpose was the 100W low-voltage halogen lamp - giving brilliant light with excellent colour rendition properties.

In the fifteen years since then, lamp technology has advanced in leaps and bounds. Modern metal halide lamps boast a service life and luminous efficacy which are many times that of incandescent lamps, and, thanks to their improved colour rendition and colour stability, are now also suitable for use in sensitive areas of architecture. Electronic control gear ensures economical operation that is kind on the lamps. So when it came to modernising the lighting in the Louvre's glass pyramid, these properties all led to the decision to replace the tungsten halogen lamps with metal halide lamps.

The administration of the Louvre again trusted in ERCO's competence - and the result of the rejuvenation is most persuasive, with increased quality of light yet reduced running costs. Miniaturised 20W metal halide lamps, which the manufacturer Philips presented for the first time at the Light + Building in 2004, replace the 100W/12V tungsten halogen lamps. This has enabled the connected power to be reduced by 80 percent and the length of the maintenance cycles to be tripled. The electronic control gear allows problem-free system operation using the existing electrical installation. To regulate the brightness, a multistage scenario of different switch settings has been provided. The redesigned luminaire trays are particularly maintenance-friendly and, due to their high protection mode, are less sensitive to dust and condensation.

This project is yet another example of ERCO as a competent partner for the management of lighting makeovers. The optimisation of energy and costs was completed on schedule while keeping to the lighting-related, architectonic objectives. The building operators and its visitors both agree that the brilliance of the new illumination far exceeds that of the original solution.

Architect:
Ieoh Ming Pei, New York

Lighting designer:
Claude Engle, Washington

Photographer:
Thomas Pflaum, Castrop Rauxel

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About ERCO
ERCO Leuchten GmbH, Lüdenscheid, is one of the leading companies in the luminaire industry. The family business founded in 1934 now operates with over 60 subsidiaries, branches and agencies all around the world. Working together with internationally renowned designers, lighting engineers and architects, ERCO develops hardware and software for all areas of architectural lighting: luminaires and lighting systems for indoor and outdoor areas, as well as lighting control and software for scenographic lighting applications. In keeping with the corporate philosophy of "Light not luminaires," lighting equipment is not offered simply as furnishing for rooms, but rather luminaries are offered as instruments of lighting design. Many demanding architectural projects are illuminated using ERCO equipment, including the Berlin Reichstag, the Louvre in Paris and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. In 2007 ERCO's ca. 1100 strong worldwide workforce produced sales of 163 million euros.


Press Contact:
ERCO Leuchten GmbH
Martin Krautter
Public Relations

Brockhauser Weg 80-82
58507 Lüdenscheid
Germany

Tel.: +49 2351 551 345
Fax: +49 2351 551 340

m.krautter@erco.com
http://www.erco.com

		Image 1 2000 x 3000 pixel 1367.02 kb Since 1989 the glass-steel construction designed by Leoh Ming Pei has stood in marked contrast to the time-honoured Louvre in Paris and has fascinated tourists and locals by day and night. The lighting for the glass pyramid was modernised at the beginning of 2005.
		Image 2 2000 x 3000 pixel 752.34 kb The vitreous pyramid had to sparkle like a crystal at night - a difficult task since it is not a simple matter to illuminate a transparent building. At that time, ERCO developed special recessed spotlights. The Louvre administration also entrusted the modernisation work into the competent hands of this manufacturer - and the result of the rejuvenation is most persuasive, with increased quality of light yet reduced running costs.
		Image 3 2000 x 3000 pixel 1325.79 kb The glass pyramid’s load-bearing structure is illuminated by specially developed luminaire mounting trays at the foot of the structure each holding five spotlights with narrow focus beam characteristics.
		Image 4 2000 x 3000 pixel 602.15 kb Miniaturised 20W metal halide lamps are used in the new lighting, installed in ERCO-designed spotlight modules. The lamps boast a service life and luminous efficacy life which are many times that of incandescent lamps, and, thanks to their improved colour rendition and colour stability, are the convincing choice in this application.